Expectations and patient satisfaction with transvaginal ultrasound results in women with chronic pelvic pain

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is often challenging and frustrating to both the patient and provider. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVU/S) is one diagnostic modality used in the evaluation of CPP. TVU/S findings in patients with CPP may either reveal abnormal anatomical findings or may be negative. Little is known about the expectations of patients who undergo TVU/S for the evaluation of CPP or about their satisfaction regarding the results. The purposes of this study were to evaluate 1) patient expectations; 2) patient satisfaction; and 3) the effect of a negative or positive TVU/S finding in women undergoing TVU/S for CPP.DESIGN: Patient survey.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was developed to assess demographic information, pre- and post-TVU/S expectations and patient satisfaction. Participants who were between age 21 and 44 and who were referred to the OB/GYN U/S unit for the evaluation of CPP were eligible for the study. Participants were excluded if they had a known cause for their pain, were undergoing a follow-up TVU/S, or were pregnant. A negative TVU/S was defined as the absence of abnormal anatomical findings. Proportions were compared using a chi-square test or odds ratio when appropriate.RESULTS: Between August 2007 and April 2008, a total of 36 participants completed the study. The mean age was 36 (+/− 6 years). Forty-seven percent of participants were African American and 53 % were Caucasian. Of those evaluated, 59 % (21/36) had pelvic pain for > 6 months. Most participants, 86 % (31/36) expected the results to demonstrate the cause of their pain. However, only 21% (4/19) had a positive finding. Overall, 75 % were satisfied with the results regardless of whether they were negative or positive. Of those participants whose TVU/S findings were negative, 79% (19/24) were satisfied with the results as compared to 66 % (8/12) whose TVU/S findings were positive.CONCLUSIONS: This observational study offers insight into the expectations of patients undergoing TVU/S for the evaluation of CPP. The most common patient expectation was an explanation for their pain. Most patients (2/3) with CPP had a negative TVU/S. Despite many patients receiving no clear anatomical validation for the cause of their pain, patients overall were satisfied with their results. The findings of this study demonstrate that although TVU/S findings in patients with CPP are commonly negative, patients do receive some satisfaction from knowing their results. This study is on-going. OBJECTIVE: The evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is often challenging and frustrating to both the patient and provider. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVU/S) is one diagnostic modality used in the evaluation of CPP. TVU/S findings in patients with CPP may either reveal abnormal anatomical findings or may be negative. Little is known about the expectations of patients who undergo TVU/S for the evaluation of CPP or about their satisfaction regarding the results. The purposes of this study were to evaluate 1) patient expectations; 2) patient satisfaction; and 3) the effect of a negative or positive TVU/S finding in women undergoing TVU/S for CPP. DESIGN: Patient survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was developed to assess demographic information, pre- and post-TVU/S expectations and patient satisfaction. Participants who were between age 21 and 44 and who were referred to the OB/GYN U/S unit for the evaluation of CPP were eligible for the study. Participants were excluded if they had a known cause for their pain, were undergoing a follow-up TVU/S, or were pregnant. A negative TVU/S was defined as the absence of abnormal anatomical findings. Proportions were compared using a chi-square test or odds ratio when appropriate. RESULTS: Between August 2007 and April 2008, a total of 36 participants completed the study. The mean age was 36 (+/− 6 years). Forty-seven percent of participants were African American and 53 % were Caucasian. Of those evaluated, 59 % (21/36) had pelvic pain for > 6 months. Most participants, 86 % (31/36) expected the results to demonstrate the cause of their pain. However, only 21% (4/19) had a positive finding. Overall, 75 % were satisfied with the results regardless of whether they were negative or positive. Of those participants whose TVU/S findings were negative, 79% (19/24) were satisfied with the results as compared to 66 % (8/12) whose TVU/S findings were positive. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study offers insight into the expectations of patients undergoing TVU/S for the evaluation of CPP. The most common patient expectation was an explanation for their pain. Most patients (2/3) with CPP had a negative TVU/S. Despite many patients receiving no clear anatomical validation for the cause of their pain, patients overall were satisfied with their results. The findings of this study demonstrate that although TVU/S findings in patients with CPP are commonly negative, patients do receive some satisfaction from knowing their results. This study is on-going.