Abstract
Objectives: To describe the practice patterns among primary care physicians' (PCPs) managing patients with symptoms suggestive of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Methods: We developed a clinical vignette describing a woman with typical IC/PBS symptoms to elicit questions about etiology, management strategies, and familiarity with this syndrome. We mailed the questionnaire to 556 PCPs, including academicians and community physicians, in Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Results: We received 290 completed questionnaires (response rate, 52%). Nineteen percent of respondents reported they had "never" seen a patient like the one described in the vignette. Two-thirds of respondents correctly identified the hallmark symptom of IC/PBS (bladder pain/pressure). Regarding etiology, 90% correctly indicated that IC/PBS was a noninfectious disease, 76% correctly reported that it was not caused by a sexually transmitted infection, and 61% correctly indicated that it was not caused by a psychiatric illness. Common treatments included antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Referrals were often made to a specialist. Conclusions: Although most PCPs indicate familiarity with IC/PBS, they manage the condition infrequently. They also appear to have significant knowledge deficits about the clinical characteristics of IC/PBS, and they indicate variable practice patterns in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Educational efforts directed at PCPs will likely improve the care of patients with IC/PBS.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 323-328 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Urology |
| Volume | 76 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Urology
Cite this
A survey of primary care physician practices in the diagnosis and management of women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. / Clemens, J. Quentin; Calhoun, Elizabeth; Litwin, Mark S.; Walker-Corkery, Elizabeth; Markossian, Talar; Kusek, John W.; McNaughton-Collins, Mary.
In: Urology, Vol. 76, No. 2, 08.2010, p. 323-328.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A survey of primary care physician practices in the diagnosis and management of women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome
AU - Clemens, J. Quentin
AU - Calhoun, Elizabeth
AU - Litwin, Mark S.
AU - Walker-Corkery, Elizabeth
AU - Markossian, Talar
AU - Kusek, John W.
AU - McNaughton-Collins, Mary
PY - 2010/8
Y1 - 2010/8
N2 - Objectives: To describe the practice patterns among primary care physicians' (PCPs) managing patients with symptoms suggestive of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Methods: We developed a clinical vignette describing a woman with typical IC/PBS symptoms to elicit questions about etiology, management strategies, and familiarity with this syndrome. We mailed the questionnaire to 556 PCPs, including academicians and community physicians, in Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Results: We received 290 completed questionnaires (response rate, 52%). Nineteen percent of respondents reported they had "never" seen a patient like the one described in the vignette. Two-thirds of respondents correctly identified the hallmark symptom of IC/PBS (bladder pain/pressure). Regarding etiology, 90% correctly indicated that IC/PBS was a noninfectious disease, 76% correctly reported that it was not caused by a sexually transmitted infection, and 61% correctly indicated that it was not caused by a psychiatric illness. Common treatments included antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Referrals were often made to a specialist. Conclusions: Although most PCPs indicate familiarity with IC/PBS, they manage the condition infrequently. They also appear to have significant knowledge deficits about the clinical characteristics of IC/PBS, and they indicate variable practice patterns in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Educational efforts directed at PCPs will likely improve the care of patients with IC/PBS.
AB - Objectives: To describe the practice patterns among primary care physicians' (PCPs) managing patients with symptoms suggestive of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Methods: We developed a clinical vignette describing a woman with typical IC/PBS symptoms to elicit questions about etiology, management strategies, and familiarity with this syndrome. We mailed the questionnaire to 556 PCPs, including academicians and community physicians, in Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Results: We received 290 completed questionnaires (response rate, 52%). Nineteen percent of respondents reported they had "never" seen a patient like the one described in the vignette. Two-thirds of respondents correctly identified the hallmark symptom of IC/PBS (bladder pain/pressure). Regarding etiology, 90% correctly indicated that IC/PBS was a noninfectious disease, 76% correctly reported that it was not caused by a sexually transmitted infection, and 61% correctly indicated that it was not caused by a psychiatric illness. Common treatments included antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Referrals were often made to a specialist. Conclusions: Although most PCPs indicate familiarity with IC/PBS, they manage the condition infrequently. They also appear to have significant knowledge deficits about the clinical characteristics of IC/PBS, and they indicate variable practice patterns in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Educational efforts directed at PCPs will likely improve the care of patients with IC/PBS.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77955704590&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77955704590&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.urology.2009.12.047
DO - 10.1016/j.urology.2009.12.047
M3 - Article
C2 - 20303575
AN - SCOPUS:77955704590
VL - 76
SP - 323
EP - 328
JO - Urology
JF - Urology
SN - 0090-4295
IS - 2
ER -