“Eyeball” POP-Q examination: shortcut or valid assessment tool?

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the results of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examination by visual estimation to measurement. Women with pelvic organ prolapse underwent both "eyeball"/estimated and measured POP-Q examinations by two trained examiners in a randomized order. POP-Q points and stage were analyzed using the paired t test, chi-square, Pearson's correlation, and kappa statistics. Fifty subjects had a mean age of 60, mean BMI 27.8, and median parity of 2. The POP-Q stages by the measured technique were 18% (9/50) stage 1, 38% (19/50) stage 2, 44% (22/50) stage 3, and 0% (0/50) stage 4. The POP-Q stages based on estimation and measurement were highly associated (p < 0.05). Individual points did not differ significantly between the techniques and did not differ significantly between examiners (all p > 0.05). Among examiners who routinely perform POP-Q examinations, there is no significant difference between "eyeball"/estimated and measured POP-Q values and stage.