Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire Research Articles

Changes in sexual function over 12months after native-tissue vaginal pelvic organ prolapse surgery with and without hysterectomy.

There is a need to determine how preoperative sexual activity, uterine preservation, and hysterectomy affect sexual function after pelvic organ prolapse surgery. (1) To determine changes in sexual function in women, stratified by preoperative sexual activity status, after native-tissue pelvic organ prolapse surgery. (2) To examine the impact of hysterectomy and uterine preservation on sexual function. (3) To determine predictors for postoperative dyspareunia. This was a planned secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. Sexual function was evaluated preoperatively and 6 and 12months postoperatively. Sexual function was compared between those who had a hysterectomy and those who had uterine-preserving prolapse surgery. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess predictors for dyspareunia. Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire. At 12months, 59 patients underwent surgery and were followed up (hysterectomy [n = 28, 47.5%] vs no hysterectomy [n = 31, 52.5%]; sexually active [n = 26, 44.1%] vs non-sexually active [n = 33, 55.9%]). Of those who did not undergo a hysterectomy, 17 (54.8%) had a uterine-preserving procedure. At 12months, sexually active patients had significant improvement in sexual function (mean ± SD, 0.37 ± 0.43; P = .005), while non-sexually active patients reported significant improvement in satisfaction of sex life (P = .04) and not feeling sexually inferior (P = .003) or angry (P = .03) because of prolapse. No variables were associated with dyspareunia on bivariate analysis. It did not appear that either uterine preservation or hysterectomy had any impact on sexual function. There was a 10% increase in people who were sexually active after surgery. The major strength of our study is the use of a condition-specific validated questionnaire intended for sexually active and non-sexually active women. We interpreted our results utilizing a validated minimal clinically important difference score to provide interpretation of our results with statistical and clinical significance. The limitation of our study is that it was a secondary analysis that was not powered for these specific outcomes. At 12months, for patients who were sexually active preoperatively, there was a clinically meaningful improvement in sexual function after native-tissue pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Non-sexually active women reported improvement in satisfaction of sex life. There was no difference in the sexual function of patients undergoing uterine preservation or posthysterectomy colpopexy when compared with those with concurrent hysterectomy, though this sample size was small.

Quality of Life Following Pelvic Organ Prolapse Treatments in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) improvement is one of the main outcomes in the management of pelvic organ prolapse as a chronic illness in women. This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of surgical or pessary treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) on quality of life. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was applied. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for original articles that evaluated the QoL before and after surgical interventions or pessary in pelvic organ prolapse from 1 January 2012 until 30 June 2022 with a combination of proper keywords. Included studies were categorized based on interventions, and they were tabulated to summarize the results. Results: Overall, 587 citations were retrieved. Of these, 76 articles were found eligible for final review. Overall, three categories of intervention were identified: vaginal surgeries (47 studies), abdominal surgeries (18 studies), and pessary intervention (11 studies). Almost all interventions were associated with improved quality of life. The results of the meta-analysis showed a significant association between the employment of surgical approach techniques (including vaginal and abdominal surgeries) and the quality of life (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) (MD: −48.08, 95% CI: −62.34 to −33.77, p-value < 0.01), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ) (MD: −33.41, 95% CI: −43.48 to −23.34, p < 0.01)) and sexual activity of patients with pelvic organ prolapse (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ) (MD: 4.84, 95% CI: 1.75 to 7.92, p < 0.01)). Furthermore, narrative synthesis for studies investigating the effect of the pessary approach showed a positive association between the use of this instrument and improvement in the quality of life and sexual activity. Conclusions: The results of our study revealed a significant improvement in the women’s quality of life following abdominal and vaginal reconstructive surgery. The use of pessary was also associated with increased patient quality of life.

Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) for the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire – IUGA Revised (PISQ-IR)

BackgroundTo put statistically significant changes in patient reported outcome measurement (PROM) questionnaires into a clinical perspective, the concept of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) can be used. AimTo determine the MCID for the summary score for sexually active (SA) women of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR), a validated instrument which assesses sexual functioning (SF) for patients suffering from a symptomatic pelvic floor disorder. MethodsPatients participating in a multicentre prospective cohort study comparing pessary therapy with surgery for a symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) filled in the PISQ-IR at baseline and 12 months’ follow-up. We used both an anchor-based as well as a distribution-based method to calculate the MCID for both treatment groups. The Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire and PISQ-IR question 19a about satisfaction with sexual functioning were used as anchors. For the distribution-based approach we used the effect size (ES). OutcomesMCID for the SA summary score of the PISQ-IR. ResultsData of 243 women were used to calculate the MCID. In the pessary group, Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficients between the PISQ-IR summary score and both anchors were below the cut-off of 0.21, which implies the anchors cannot be used to calculate an MCID. In our surgery group, the PISQ-IR question 19a met the anchor criteria and 0.31 points increase in the PISQ-IR summary score was equal to an improvement of 1 point on question 19a about satisfaction with sexual functioning. Clinical implicationsFuture research on this subject should focus on clinical relevance of results rather than statistical significance only. Strengths & LimitationsOur main strength is the fact that we used both anchor-based and distribution-based methods to determine our MCID. Secondly, we set out to determine an MCID for both treatment groups separately, which relatively enhances the generalisability of our results. A limitation is that we were not able to estimate an MCID for the pessary group.Pruijssers B, van der Vaart L, Milani F, et al. Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) for the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire – IUGA Revised (PISQ-IR). J Sex Med 2021;18:1265–1270. ConclusionWe estimated the MCID for the PISQ-IR SA summary score to be 0.31 in our surgery group.

Randomized trial comparing efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training with a digital therapeutic motion-based device to standard pelvic floor exercises for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUV trial): An all-virtual trial design

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of an Intravaginal Motion-Based Digital Health System (PDHS) compared to standardized Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) for the treatment of stress or stress-predominant urinary incontinence (SUI). MethodsThis is a virtually conducted prospective randomized controlled trial. The primary outcomes are change in urinary incontinence episodes by 3-day bladder diary and change in Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 score, measured at 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes include: Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S), PGI-Improvement (PGI-I), Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20(PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7(PFIQ-7), Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-IR), Short Form-2 (SF-20), and assessment of adverse event (AE). Subjects are randomized 1:1 to an intervention group using leva PDHS for PFMT or a control group, using a home Kegel exercise program. Sample size needed to identify a 60% difference in incontinence episodes from baseline to 8 weeks post-randomization using alpha = 0.05, and a power of 0.8 is 156 subjects. To identify a 30% difference in the UDI-6 score from Baseline to Week 8 (alpha = 0.05, power = 0.8, using a one-tailed t-test) the needed sample size is 278, and allowing for an attrition rate of 15%, will require approximately 350 subjects, providing power to detect differences in both primary outcomes. ResultsRecruitment was initiated September 2020 and is on target to date. The trial is projected to be complete in 2021and is registered at clinicaltrials.govNCT04508153. ConclusionThis novel virtual recruitment approach may provide more efficient recruitment of large numbers of subjects and provide input into the use of app-based management of pelvic floor interventions.

Relationship Between Sexual Function and Pelvic Floor and Hip Muscle Strength in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence.

IntroductionThe pelvic floor muscle (PFM) could affect female sexual functions. The hip muscles are morphologically and functionally linked to PFM and are important elements of female sexual attraction.AimTo determine the relationship between female sexual function and hip muscle strength and PFM functions in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).MethodsA total of 42 women with SUI were recruited in this study. Female sexual function was measured using the pelvic organ prolapse urinary incontinence sexual function questionnaire (PISQ). PFM functions were measured using a perineometer. Hip muscle strength was measured using a Smart KEMA tension sensor. The relationship between female sexual function and PFM function and hip muscle strength was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analyses with forward selection.Main Outcome MeasuresPISQ score, PFM functions (strength and endurance), and strength of hip extensor, abductor, and adductor were the main outcome measures.ResultsFor the behavioral/emotive domain in the PISQ, hip extensor strength (r = 0.452), PFM strength (r = 0.441), PFM endurance (r = 0.362), and hip adductor strength (r = 0.324) were significantly correlated and hip extensor strength emerged in multiple regression. For the physical domain in the PISQ, hip abductor strength (r = 0.417), PFM endurance (r = 0.356), hip adductor strength (r = 0.332), and PFM strength (r = 0.322) were significantly correlated and hip abductor strength entered in multiple regression. For partner-related domain in the PISQ, hip adductor (r = 0.386) and abductor strength (r = 0.314) were significantly correlated and hip adductor strength appeared in multiple regression. For the PISQ total score, hip extensor strength (r = 0.484), PFM endurance (r = 0.470), hip adductor strength (r = 0.424), hip abductor strength (r = 0.393), and PFM strength (r = 0.387) were significantly correlated and hip extensor strength and PFM endurance emerged in multiple regression.ConclusionThe female sexual function could be related to not only PFM functions but also hip muscle strength in women with SUI. Hwang UJ, Lee MS, Jung SH, Ahn SH, Kwon OY. Relationship Between Sexual Function and Pelvic Floor and Hip Muscle Strength in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence. Sex Med 2021;9:100325.

Effects of surface electrical stimulation during sitting on pelvic floor muscle function and sexual function in women with stress urinary incontinence

ObjectiveDysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) is associated with sexual dysfunction in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The EasyK7 device was developed to stimulate the PFM by surface electrical stimulation during sitting (SESdS). We investigated the effects of SESdS on PFM function and sexual function in women with SUI.MethodsWomen with SUI were randomized into the SESdS and control groups. PFM function and sexual function were assessed using a perineometer and the pelvic organ prolapse–urinary incontinence sexual function questionnaire (PISQ), respectively. After 8 weeks, the groups were compared using either analysis of covariance with the baseline values as covariates or the paired Student's t-test.ResultsThe final analysis included 16 subjects from each group. There were significant differences between the SESdS and control groups after the intervention, as well as within the SESdS group between the pre- and post-intervention measurements. The P-values for the differences in PFM measurements between the groups, and between the pre- and post- intervention measurements within the SESdS group, were 0.001 and 0.004 for power, 0.015 and 0.011 for strength, and 0.012 and 0.034 for endurance, respectively. In addition, in the PISQ, there were significant differences between the groups and between the pre- and post-intervention measurements within the SESdS group in the partner-related domain (between groups: P=0.003; within SESdS group: P=0.024) and total score (between groups: P<0.001; within SESdS group: P=0.001).ConclusionSESdS can improve PFM function and sexual function in women with SUI.Trial RegistrationClinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0003357

Synthetic Graft Augmentation in Vaginal Prolapse Surgery: Long-Term Objective and Subjective Outcomes

ObjectiveTo report long-term objectives and subjective outcomes in women who underwent prolapse surgery with a synthetic graft augmentation. DesignRetrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SettingUniversity hospital in the southeastern United States. PatientsWomen with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse who underwent transvaginal graft augmentation using the Prolift mesh system between July 2006 and December 2008 for a minimum 5-year follow-up. InterventionsSubjects completed the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ), and the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Subjects also underwent postoperative physical examination with Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) and vaginal pain/stricture assessment. Long-term postoperative findings were compared with preoperative baseline data. Measurements and Main ResultsOf 208 eligible subjects, 70 completed the questionnaires only, and 48 of these 70 provided both postoperative examination and questionnaire data. The mean duration of follow-up was 7.0 ± 0.7 years (range, 5.8–8.1 years). POP-Q measurements of Ba (point B anterior), Bp (B posterior), C (cervix), GH (genital hiatus), PB (perineal body), and overall pelvic organ prolapse stage were significantly improved (all p < .001 except for PB, p = .006). PFIQ-7 (total, Urinary Impact Questionnaire, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Impact Questionnaire) and PFDI-20 (total, Urinary Distress Inventory, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory) scores significantly improved (all p < .001). No differences were noted in the colorectal-anal subscales (Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire and Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory) and PISQ scores at >5-year follow-up (all p > .05). Satisfaction rates were 15.7% for not at all, 35.7% for somewhat, and 48.6% for completely satisfied. Complications included graft exposure (n = 3; 6%) and dyspareunia (n = 25; 36%). ConclusionWomen undergoing transvaginal prolapse surgery using a synthetic graft continue to have positive objective and subjective outcomes, leading to significantly improved quality of life at a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Sexual Function and Pessary Management among Women Using a Pessary for Pelvic Floor Disorders.

Pessaries are commonly used to treat pelvic floor disorders, but little is known about the sexual function of pessary users. We aimed to describe sexual function among pessary users and pessary management with regard to sexual activity. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial of new pessary users, where study patients completed validated questionnaires on sexual function and body image at pessary fitting and 3 months later. Women completed the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire, International Urogynecological Association Revised (PISQ-IR), a validated measure that evaluates the impact of pelvic floor disorders on sexual function, a modified female body image scale (mBIS), and questions regarding pessary management surrounding sexual activity. Of 127 women, 54% (68/127) were sexually active at baseline and 42% (64/114) were sexually active at 3 months. Sexual function scores were not different between baseline and 3 months on all domains except for a drop of 0.15 points (P = 0.04) for sexually active women, and a drop of 0.34 points for non-sexually active women (P = 0.02) in the score related to the sexual partner. Total mBIS score did not change (P = 0.07), but scores improved by 0.2 points (P = 0.03) in the question related to self-consciousness. Pessary satisfaction was associated with improved sexual function scores in multiple domains and improved mBIS scores. The majority (45/64, 70%) of sexually active women removed their pessary for sex, with over half stating their partner preferred removal for sex (24/45, 53%). Many women remove their pessary during sex for partner considerations, and increased partner concerns are the only change seen in sexual function in the first 3 months of pessary use. Pessary use may improve self-consciousness and pessary satisfaction is associated with improvements in sexual function and body image.

The minimum important difference for the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire

Although the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ) is widely used to assess sexual function in women, the minimum important difference (MID) (defined as the smallest difference in scores of a patient-reported outcome measure that is perceived by patients as beneficial or harmful and which would lead the clinician to consider a change in treatment) is not known. The objective was to estimate the MID for the PISQ. Two study populations, one of women with overactive bladder (OAB) and urgency UI (UUI) treated with tolterodine in a placebo-controlled trial (cohort I), and one of women treated surgically for prolapse and/or UI (cohort II) were used. Cohort I anchors were the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), the Patient Perception of Treatment Benefit Questionnaire (PPTBQ), and the change in number of UUI episodes in bladder diaries. Distribution MIDs were also calculated. In the anchor-based analysis, the MID values for changes in PISQ total scores at 3 months in cohort I were 5 points using the UUI anchor (diary-dry women), 5 points using the PPBC anchor, 5 points with the PPTBQ, and 9 points with the OAB-q. In cohort II, the MID at week 12 in PISQ total scores was 7 points in women with improved IIQ-7 scores. The distribution-based MID in PISQ total scores was 5.3 points in cohort I and 5.8 points in cohort II. A reasonable estimate of MID for the PISQ total score is 6 points. Improvements that meet these thresholds may be considered clinically important.

Laparoscopic Burch Colposuspension

Laparoscopic Burch colposuspension is an operation to help elevate the urethro-vesical junction so as to correct stress urinary incontinence. The paravaginal tissue of the urethro-vesical junction is elevated by fixing it with the Cooper’s ligament with the help of non-absorbable sutures or mesh. Subjective and objective cure rates are better with the non-absorbable sutures. Laparoscopy can be done via extra-peritoneal or intra-peritoneal approach; though most of the surgeons prefer intra-peritoneal approach. Laparoscopic technique is no way inferior to the laparotomy technique; rather it has the same efficacy like open Burch colposuspension in short, medium & long term results, (level 1 evidence). Intraoperative cystoscopy is mandatory as it can find out the accidental inclusion of the bladder, which if not detected, can lead to many urinary problems afterwards. Apart from this bladder injury related urinary complaint, post-operatively some other urinary complications are also reported e.g. de novo overactive bladder, voiding difficulties etc. though incidences are less. Pelvic organ prolapse-urinary incontinence sexual function questionnaire (PISQ) found that sexual functions have been improved after the operation. Due to the advent of tension free vaginal tape (TVT), trans-obturator tape (TOT) and, mini sling the popularity of Burch colpo suspension has been decreased. But after the FDA warning on uses of mesh, there is a resurgence of laparoscopic Burch colposuspension. Keywords: Burch colposuspension, laparoscopy, retropubic urethropexy, stress urinary incontinence, TVT, TOT.

The impact of pelvic floor surgery on female sexual function: a mixed quantitative and qualitative study

To assess whether the current condition-specific sexual function questionnaire provides full insight into sexual function following pelvic floor surgery. Prospective, mixed quantitative and qualitative study. Urogynaecology clinic in a large university hospital. Thirty-seven women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Women were seen before surgery and 3 months postoperatively. At both visits the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ) was completed and a qualitative face-to-face semi-structured interview was conducted. PISQ total and domain scores, as well as the change in the preoperative and postoperative score, were calculated and analysed using Wilcoxon signed rank test and one-sample t-test. The qualitative data were systematically analysed using data-matrices. The impact of pelvic floor surgery on female sexual function. Significant improvement was seen for PISQ total score (P = 0.003) as well as Physical (P < 0.001) and Partner-related (P = 0.002) domains, but not for the Behavioural/Emotive domain (P = 0.220). Analysis of qualitative data showed that improvement in sexual function was a result of cure of POP and SUI symptoms. Deterioration of sexual function was due to dyspareunia, fear of causing damage to the surgical result, new symptoms and a disappointing result of surgery. Our qualitative data show that PISQ is limited in the assessment of sexual function after pelvic floor surgery as it does not assess most surgery-specific negative effects on sexual function.

Long‐term treatment outcomes of transvaginal mesh surgery versus anterior–posterior colporrhaphy for pelvic organ prolapse

In spite of rapid growth in the use of vaginally placed mesh in pelvic reconstructive surgery, there are few reports on the long-term efficacy and safety of mesh-augmented repairs. To compare the long-term outcomes of modified pelvic floor reconstructive surgery with mesh (MPFR) versus traditional anterior-posterior colporrhaphy (APC) for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). This retrospective cohort study involved 158 women who underwent surgical management of prolapse with MPFR (n = 84) or APC (n = 74) in the period between January 2007 and June 2008. Main outcome measures included pelvic organ prolapse quantification measurement, Short Form-20 Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ) questionnaires, perioperative outcomes, complications and a personal interview about urinary and sexual symptoms. Statistical analysis included comparison of means (Wilcoxon test or Student's t-test) and proportions (χ(2) test). Anatomical success rate for MPFR and APC was 88.1 versus 64.9% (P = 0.001), with a median follow-up of 55 versus 56 months (range 49-66 months, P = 0.341). Both operations significantly improved quality of life, and a greater improvement was seen in MPFR group than in APC group (P = 0.013). Complication rates did not differ significantly between the two groups. The mesh erosion rate was 3.6%. Modified pelvic floor reconstructive surgery with mesh had better anatomical and functional outcomes than APC at 4-5 years postoperation, as an alternative, cheap and effective treatment option to mesh kits for the management of POP.

A quantitative approach to measure women's sexual function using electromyography: a preliminary study of the Kegel exercise.

BackgroundCurrently, the reference standard used to clinically assess sexual function among women is a qualitative questionnaire. Hence, a generalised and quantitative measurement tool needs to be available as an alternative. This study investigated whether an electromyography (EMG) measurement tecnique could be used to help quantify women’s sexual function.Material/MethodsA preliminary intervention study was conducted on 12 female subjects, who were randomised into a control (n=6) and an intervention (n=6) group. Intervention involved a set regimen of pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel) and the control group did not have any treatment. All subjects were asked to answer a validated, self-rated Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ). EMG measurements of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and the abdominal muscles were taken from all women at recruitment and 8 weeks after study commencement.ResultsAfter 8 weeks, most of the subjects in the control group did not display any noted positive difference in either PISQ score (4/6) or in their muscle strength (4/6). However, a noted progressive difference were observed in subjects who were placed in the Kegel group; PISQ score (5/6) and muscles strength (4/6).ConclusionsThe noted difference in the Kegel group subjects was that if progress is observed in the sexual function, improvement is also observed in the strength of at least 2 types of muscles (either abdominal or PFM muscles). Thus, EMG measurement is a potential technique to quantify the changes in female sexual function. Further work will be conducted to validate this assumption.

Midterm prospective comparison of vaginal repair with mesh vs Prolift system devices for prolapse

To compare midterm clinical outcome using modified pelvic floor reconstructive surgery with mesh (MPFR) vs Prolift devices for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). This prospective observational cohort study involved 223 women with POP stages III-IV who were assigned to either MPFR (n=131) or Prolift device (n=92). Outcomes were analyzed at 6 and 12 months and the last follow-up visit postoperatively. Main outcome measures included pelvic organ prolapse quantification measurement, Short Form-20 Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ) questionnaires, perioperative outcomes, complications, and a personal interview about urinary and sexual symptoms. Statistical analysis included comparison of means (Wilcoxon test or Student's t-test) and proportions (Chi-square test). Multivariate analysis was carried out using Cox proportional hazard model. At follow-up (median, 36 months; range, 17-58 months), anatomic success for MPFR and Prolift was 87.07% and 93.41%, respectively (P=0.1339). Both operations significantly improved quality of life, and PFDI-20 scores were lower in the Prolift group than the MPFR group (P=0.03). Complication rates did not differ significantly between the two groups and the prevalence of urinary symptoms decreased postoperatively in both groups. The cost of operation, however, was RMB ¥11,882.86 yuan for MPFR and ¥23,617.59yuan for Prolift (P=0.00). MPFR and Prolift had comparable anatomic outcomes, Prolift had better functional outcomes than MPFR, but MPFR is much cheaper than Prolift. MPFR is an alternative, cheap and effective surgical treatment option to mesh-kits for the management for POP.

Sexual Function After Vaginal Versus Nonvaginal Prolapse Surgery

To compare sexual function based on the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ) in women who underwent vaginal versus nonvaginal surgery for prolapse. This was a prospective cohort study of women who underwent vaginal versus nonvaginal (abdominal or robotic) surgery for stage II to stage IV pelvic organ prolapse. We compared 2 groups: those who received vaginal prolapse surgery (defined as any surgical procedure for prolapse requiring incisions in the vaginal wall) and those who received nonvaginal (ie, exclusively abdominal or robotic) prolapse surgery. Women completed the PISQ and additional pelvic floor symptom questionnaires at baseline and 6 months after surgery. Our primary outcome was change in PISQ score from baseline to 6 months. Of the 80 women in our study population, 58 participants completed 6-month follow-up. Baseline PISQ and pelvic floor symptom questionnaire scores were similar between the vaginal and nonvaginal surgery groups. There were significant overall improvements in sexual function based on the PISQ but no differences in scores between vaginal and nonvaginal surgery groups (mean PISQ change score 6.4±9.2 vs 6.1±14.8; P=0.92). In a linear regression model adjusting for potential confounders, there were still no differences in 6-month PISQ scores between the groups. In women with prolapse, sexual function is likely to improve after reconstructive surgery, regardless of the route.

Sexual Function Before and After Nonsurgical Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence

OBJECTIVES: (1) to describe sexual function in women seeking treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI); (2) to compare the impact on sexual function of three SUI treatments; and (3) to investigate whether non-surgical treatment of SUI is associated with improved sexual function. METHODS: Women with SUI were randomized to continence pessary, behavioral therapy (pelvic floor muscle training and continence strategies), or combination therapy. Sexual function was assessed at baseline and 3-months using short forms of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-12) and the Personal Experiences Questionnaire (SPEQ). Successful treatment of SUI was assessed with a patient global impression of improvement. ANOVA was used to compare scores between groups. RESULTS: At baseline, sexual function was worse among women with mixed incontinence compared to those with pure SUI. After therapy, successful treatment of SUI was associated with greater improvement in PISQ-12 score (2.26 ± 3.24 versus 0.48 ± 3.76, p=0.0007), greater improvement in incontinence with sexual activity (0.45 ± 0.84 versus 0.01 ± 0.71, p=0.0002), and greater reduction in restriction in sexual activity related to fear of incontinence (0.32 ± 0.76 versus -0.06 ± 0.78, p=0.0008). Among those successfully treated for SUI, improvement in continence during sexual activity was greater in both the combined therapy group (p=0.019) and the behavioral group (p=0.02) compared to the pessary group. CONCLUSIONS: Successful non-surgical treatment of SUI is associated with improvements in incontinence-specific measures of sexual function. Behavioral therapy may be preferred to pessary for treatment of SUI among women whose incontinence interferes with sexual function.

Pelvic Support and Urinary Function Improve in Women After Surgically Induced Weight Reduction

: The objective of this study was to assess pelvic organ support and symptoms in morbidly obese women before and after weight reductive surgery. : Fifty-four women were enrolled in this institutional review board-approved protocol. Data collection at baseline and 6 months following surgery included a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification examination, questionnaires including the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire short form, and a 3-day voiding diary. Before-surgery and after-surgery measures were compared using paired Student t tests for continuous, normally distributed data or the Wilcoxon signed rank test for ordinal data. : Baseline and 6-month data were available for 34 women. The mean body mass index was 46 ± 6 kg/m at baseline and 33 ± 6 kg/m after 6 months. Subjects with ≥stage 2 prolapse at baseline demonstrated an improvement of 0.5 cm (baseline, 0.9 ± 0.8 cm; after 6 months, -1.4 ± 0.9 cm) in the anterior vaginal compartment (points Aa/Ba) 6 months following weight reductive surgery (P = 0.05). Of 24 women who completed 3-day voiding diaries, 12 were incontinent at baseline with a median number of incontinent episodes of 6.5 per day (range, 3-34). After surgery, 6 incontinent women became continent. In the 6 women who remained incontinent after surgery, the number of incontinent episodes per day decreased by a median of 2.5 (range, 1-11). Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory scores improved following weight reduction (baseline, 115 ± 80; after 6 months, 58 ± 70; P < 0.01). : Obese women, after surgically induced weight loss, demonstrate an improvement in anterior vaginal support, urinary leakage and pelvic floor symptoms.

Non-surgical management of stress urinary incontinence: ambulatory treatments for leakage associated with stress (ATLAS) trial

Non-surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is recommended as first-line therapy, yet few prospective studies and no randomized trials compare the most common non-surgical treatments for SUI. To present the design and methodology of the ambulatory treatments for leakage associated with stress (ATLAS) trial, a randomized clinical trial comparing three interventions for predominant SUI in women: intravaginal continence pessary; behavioral therapy (including pelvic floor muscle training and exercise and bladder control strategies); and a combination of the two treatments. Treatment outcome measures, collected at 12 weeks and six and 12 months post randomization, include the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), the Stress Incontinence Scale of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI), seven-day bladder diaries, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ), Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-12), Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The study design reduces most common biases, but some degree of selection bias may remain. This trial will provide useful information to help counsel women with stress and mixed incontinence about the relative efficacy and satisfaction with pessary, behavioral therapy and both treatments combined.