When is better really better? Individuals' experiences of treatment for OAB with anticholinergic medication

Kinsey, Debbie; Alexander, Tim; Glover, Lesley; Pretorius, Sara; Kraus, Sigurd; Duggan, Paul

Abstract

Overactive bladder (OAB) has been found to have a number of psychological consequences, including anxiety, depression and shame. However, there is little research on how drug treatment, which has been found to be effective at reducing physical symptoms, impacts on these psychological effects. This study aimed to examine patients’ experiences of anticholinergic treatment for OAB, and the impact of both OAB and its treatment on psychological well-being. A cross-sectional, qualitative interview design with a secondary care outpatient sample was used. The approach was idiographic and sought to understand the detailed complexities and nuances of patient experiences. This small-scale qualitative study found that, even where there had been symptom reduction, patients did not feel ‘better’, and found it difficult to let go of worries and fears around OAB. These findings suggest that a person with OAB may need support even after a ‘successful’ treatment, as OAB continues to be at the centre of patients’ lives.

Citation

Kinsey, D., Alexander, T., Glover, L., Pretorius, S., Kraus, S., & Duggan, P. (2017). When is better really better? Individuals' experiences of treatment for OAB with anticholinergic medication. International Journal of Urological Nursing, 11(1), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijun.12122

• Acceptance Date: Jun 24, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Aug 11, 2016
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Deposit Date: Aug 12, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 12, 2016
• Journal: International journal of urological nursing
• Print ISSN: 1749-7701
• Electronic ISSN: 1749-771X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 42-51
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijun.12122
• Keywords: Chronic illness, Health psychology, Overactive bladder, Psychology, Quality of life, Urinary incontinence
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/442177
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijun.12122/full
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Kinsey, D., Alexander, T., Glover, L., Pretorius, S., Kraus, S. and Duggan, P. (2017), When is better really better? Individuals' experiences of treatment for OAB with anticholinergic medication. Int J Urol Nurs, 11: 42–51. doi:10.1111/ijun.12122, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijun.12122/full. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.