Original articleRelationship among symptoms, mood, and personality traits in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

ObjectiveWe have proposed an analysis of personality traits to classify patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) to determine the association between symptoms, mood, and personality traits in IC/BPS patients.Materials and methodsA total of 57 patients (7 males and 50 females) diagnosed according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria were recruited from December 2005 to June 2006. All of these patients were newly diagnosed cases of IC/BPS, and the evaluation was made during the admission after hydrodistension. This study used the O'Leary-Sant Symptom Index and Problem Index (interstitial cystitis system index and interstitial cystitis problem index) to record the clinical symptoms of all IC/BPS patients. Basic Personality Inventory and Back Anxiety Inventory were used to analyze personality traits and mood status.ResultsIC/BPS patients have personality traits of depression and hypochondriasis, and show moderate anxiety mood. The duration of the symptoms is longer in depressive IC/BPS patients. Significant positive correlations were found among pain and anxiety mood, symptoms and interpersonal problems, and problem index and depression, respectively. Patients with severe anxiety mood status have abnormal personality traits such as depression, anxiety, self-depreciation, and others.ConclusionsIC/BPS patients frequently exhibit several mental health disorders and negative personality traits. Therefore, in addition to targeting the bladder pathological condition, psychological intervention focusing on personality traits and anxiety mood status should be provided to improve quality of life of IC/BPS patients.