Patient reported outcome measures in women undergoing surgery for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in Denmark, 2006–2011

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of urogynecological surgery on quality of life based on patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). Data were retrieved from the Danish Urogynaecological Database. Inclusion criteria were Danish women undergoing surgery for urinary incontinence (UI) or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) from 2006 to 2011. Using frequency of symptoms and a visual analogue scale (VAS) both pre- and postoperatively, their severity of symptoms and quality of life were measured by questionnaires. During the study period, 20,629 urogynecological procedures were performed. The questionnaires on severity of symptoms and the VAS had been completed both pre- and postoperatively for approximately one third of women undergoing surgery. For UI surgery, 83% had improved symptoms, 13% were unchanged, and 4% had worse symptoms postoperatively. For POP surgery, 80, 17, and 3% were improved, unchanged, and worsened, respectively. The postoperative bother of symptoms and interference in everyday life evaluated by VAS were significantly reduced for both UI [preoperative median VAS score 9, postoperative median score 1 (p < 0.001)] and POP [8 preoperatively and 0 postoperatively (p < 0.001)]. Based on PROMs, surgery for UI and POP is effective in alleviating symptoms associated with UI or POP, and it can improve quality of life in symptomatic women. Pre- and postoperative questionnaires are useful tools in assessing symptomatic outcome measures after surgery.