white paper
January 2026
Understanding Recurrent and Chronic Cystitis —
Psychological impact of an ongoing battle. Evidence from Italy.
The Dimann dataset offers an innovative and valuable perspective on cystitis, placing the person at the center and enabling an analysis of the affected population with an unprecedented level of detail.
25,135 respondents
Who suffer from cystitis in Italy
from 2022
Continuous collection for more than 3 years consecutively
30+ variables
Investigating risk factors and consequences of cystitis
Highlights
These data cards tell, visually and concisely, the main evidence gathered in the white paper.
Insights
1. How is the Dimann questionnaire structured?
The questionnaire consists of questions organized into thematic sections. It starts with thedaily experience of cystitis and its impact (frequency, symptoms, and aspects of life affected), continues with the medical history and course of management (how long have you suffered from it, professionals consulted, possible diagnosis and diagnostic tools, strategies used to cope with symptoms). It then includes a section on lifestyle and habits (contextual factors, daily routine, possible intolerances) and a section on theintimate and sexual area, to explore possible correlations between relationships, pain, and intimate hygiene practices.
2. How is the Dimann questionnaire translated?
Translation is done through a proven machine translation system. Then, for each language, the text is carefully proofread by native speakers to ensure correctness, clarity and consistency of language.
3. From which countries do the compilers and compilers come?
The questionnaire is available in Italian, French, Spanish and German. Most of the completions come from Italy, France, Spain and Germany. A smaller share also comes from other countries where these languages are spoken or from people living abroad.
4. Why is the minimum age of respondents 18 years old?
The minimum age of 18 has been established to ensure compliance with European ethical and legal regulations on participation in the Dimann quiz and the processing of personal data. Those over the age of 18 can provide independent and informed consent, especially when questions concern sensitive aspects such as health, physical symptoms, and psychological well-being. In addition, cystitis in adulthood has different clinical features, risk factors, and management modalities than pediatric and adolescent age, making the data more homogeneous and comparable.
5. Why talk about mood and stress in relation to cystitis?
Mood and stress are elements closely related to cystitis, especially in recurrent or chronic forms. Indeed, there is a bidirectional relationship between these factors: psychophysical stress and mood alterations can affect the immune system, pain perception, and urinary tract function, contributing to the onset or worsening of symptoms. At the same time, cystitis can profoundly affect quality of life, generating emotional distress, anxiety, irritability, and mood changes.
6. What is a two-way relationship?
A bidirectional relationship is one in which two factors influence each other. In the case of cystitis, it means that stress, anxiety, and mood alterations can promote or intensify urinary symptoms, while the presence of painful, persistent, or recurrent symptoms can in turn increase stress, anxiety, and emotional distress. Thus, it is not a one-way link, but a circle of mutual influences that can maintain or exacerbate the disorder if not addressed comprehensively.
How to cite the
White Paper
Ready-made templates and useful information for citing text, graphs, and data.
—
APA (IT/EN)
European Cystitis Observatory (ECO). (2026). Understanding Recurrent and Chronic Cystitis - Psychological impact of an ongoing battle. Evidence from Italy. (Version V1). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18185934Doi 10 5281
—
Harvard
European Cystitis Observatory (ECO) (2026) "Understanding Recurrent and Chronic Cystitis - Psychological impact of an ongoing battle. Evidence from Italy." Zenodo. doi:10.5281/zenodo.18185934.
License
This white paper is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
You may share and adapt the material, even for commercial use, provided:
- Correctly attribute the source,
- Include a link to the license,
- Indicate whether any changes have been made.
Exceptions
The license does not extend to trademarks/logos or any third-party content (images, graphics, or excerpts) unless otherwise indicated.
Are you interested in the Observatory's activities?
