Reliability of health-related quality-of-life measures 1 year after surgical procedures for pelvic floor disorders

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of condition-specific health-related quality-of-life measures in women who are treated surgically for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.

Study design: The study used the cross-sectional telephone interview-based administration of a health-related quality-of-life measure, with a 2-week follow-up interview for test-retest reliability.

Results: Initial and follow-up interviews were completed by 88 women (mean age, 65.7 +/- 11.6 years) approximately 1 year after surgical procedures. Condition-specific measures demonstrated acceptable reliability with test-retest correlation coefficients that approached or exceeded 0.6 and Cronbach's alpha that exceeded 0.8 in most domains. Validity was demonstrated with significant correlations of the urinary domains of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, with continence defined by the medical, epidemiologic, and social aspects of aging and Hunskaar severity measures (all P < .001).

Conclusion: The condition-specific health-related quality-of-life assessment is reliable and valid in women after surgical procedures for pelvic floor disorders. These findings support the inclusion of condition-specific health-related quality-of-life measures in clinical trials for women with pelvic floor disorders.