E-Posters-Constructs of Suffering and Life Satisfaction in Female Patients with Urinary Incontinence

Constructs of Suffering and Life Satisfaction in Female Patients with Urinary Incontinence - Amanda Paquet, MD

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The objective of this study was to determine how measures of suffering and satisfaction with life (SWL) compared to incontinence severity and quality of life (QOL) measures in female patients with urinary incontinence. Questionnaires were given to 77 patients, and Spearman rank correlations were used to determine associations between the different measures.<br /><br />The results showed that measures of suffering and SWL were significantly correlated to incontinence severity. Strong correlations were found between incontinence QOL measures and SWL, perceived stress, and suffering. The Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM) showed weaker correlations to both QOL and severity measures. All measures of psychological flexibility significantly correlated with distress, perceived stress, and SWL. However, incontinence severity, incontinence QOL, and PRISM did not have a significant correlation with psychological flexibility.<br /><br />The study concludes that measures of suffering and SWL strongly correlated with incontinence severity, except for PRISM. The strong correlation between psychological flexibility and suffering and SWL suggests that aspects of suffering and SWL may be lacking in current QOL measures. The authors suggest that to alleviate suffering, physicians need to be aware of the suffering experienced by their patients.<br /><br />The study involved a convenience sample of 77 female patients who presented with urinary incontinence. Questionnaires were used to measure incontinence severity, incontinence QOL, SWL, suffering, and psychological flexibility. The study was powered for 60 patients but exceeded this number with 77 recruited patients.<br /><br />In summary, this study highlights the importance of considering measures of suffering and SWL when addressing urinary incontinence in female patients. Current QOL measures may not adequately capture these aspects, and psychological flexibility appears to play a role in suffering and SWL. Further research is needed to improve the understanding and treatment of suffering in patients with urinary incontinence.

Keywords

suffering

satisfaction with life

incontinence severity

quality of life

female patients

urinary incontinence

SWL

QOL measures

psychological flexibility

PRISM