背　景間質性膀胱炎是一個謎樣的疾病，目前仍無法完全治癒，若病人無法有正向的自我照顧行為，則臨床症狀會反覆發生而影響工作、家庭與社會層面，若是病人能有正確的疾病認知與正向的疾病處理態度，則會促進其自我照顧行為。目　的探討間質性膀胱炎病人對於疾病認知、態度及自我照顧行為三者之間的相關性。方　法以橫斷式研究設計，針對東部醫學中心確診為間質性膀胱炎82位門診病人，採自擬結構式問卷，郵寄方式收集資料。結　果⑴間質性膀胱炎病人疾病認知量表平均答對率為63.3%，平均總分為7.6分。⑵態度量表平均每題得分為3.5分，對疾病持正向態度。⑶自我照顧行為量表每題平均3.4分，顯示個案執行自我照顧行為偏向偶爾這樣做。⑷間質性膀胱炎病人疾病認知、態度、自我照顧行為三者呈現顯著正相關。⑸在背景資料方面：間質性膀胱炎病人教育程度愈高者，其疾病認知得分也愈高、疾病態度也愈正向；目前排尿困擾問題越少者疾病態度愈正向；疼痛部位愈多者其認知越好、自我照顧行為愈好；症狀加重情況越多者其認知愈好。結　論／實務應用由本研究結果得知間質性膀胱炎病人的疾病認知、態度、自我照顧行為呈現正相關，建議臨床護理人員需評估個案的疾病認知程度，並藉由提供專業疾病資訊建立病人疾病正確認知，進而促進正向的疾病態度及自我照顧行為。

Background: Interstitial cystitis (IC) is an enigmatic disease that currently remains incurable. Failure to adopt positive self-care behaviors can exacerbate recurrent clinical symptoms and significantly affect a patient’s capacity to function normally in work, family and social setting. Proper disease perception can improve patient attitudes toward disease management and positively influence behavior.Purpose: This study investigated correlations between disease perceptions, attitudes and self-care behaviors in patients with interstitial cystitis.Methods: This study used a cross-sectional method and enrolled 82 outpatients currently receiving treatment for interstitial cystitis at a medical center in East Taiwan. A structured questionnaires filled out individually and submitted by mail was used for date collection.Results: (1) The mean perception scale score was 7.6, with 63.3% providing correct responses. (2) The mean attitude score of 3.5 indicated respondents held positive attitudes. (3) The mean self-care behavior score of 3.4 indicated a leaning toward “occasional” self-care behavior. (4)Correlations among disease perception, attitude and self-care behavior
in participants exhibited a significant, mild and positive correlation. (5) Higher education level correlated positively with insight and attitude toward interstitial cystitis. Participants with lower “current voiding problems” had a more positive attitude toward their disease. Participants with higher “numbers of painful sites” had better disease perception and better self care behaviors. Patients reporting “symptoms aggravated by other conditions” also had better interstitial cystitis erception.Conclusions / Implications for practice: We found positive correlations among disease perceptions, attitudes and self-care behaviors in patients with interstitial cystitis. We strongly recommend that all healthcare providers evaluate patient disease perception extent. Nurses should provide patients with correct disease concepts, and encourage positive attitudes and self-caring behaviors toward interstitial cystitis.