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Comparative Study
. 2021 Jun 1;27(6):337-343.
doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001069.

Generic Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Seeking Care for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Catherine S Bradley  1 , Heidi W Brown  2 , Stuart S Shippey  3 , Robert E Gutman  4 , Uduak U Andy  5 , Ladin A Yurteri-Kaplan  6 , Bela Kudish  7 , Allen Mehr  8 , Amy O'Boyle  9 , Raymond T Foster Sr  10 , Jennifer T Anger  11 , Patrick Ten Eyck  12 , Pamela A Moalli  13 ; Developed by the Pelvic Floor Disorders Registry
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Generic Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Seeking Care for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Catherine S Bradley et al. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. .

Abstract

Objective: Using the American Urogynecologic Society multicenter Pelvic Floor Disorder Registry for Research, we (1) compared generic quality of life (QOL) in women planning pelvic organ prolapse (POP) treatment (surgery vs pessary), (2) correlated generic and condition-specific QOL scores, and (3) identified associations between generic QOL and other factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis assessed generic physical and mental QOL using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health Scale at baseline. Global Physical and Mental T-scores center on a representative US population sample (mean [SD], 50 [10]; higher scores, better health). Condition-specific QOL was assessed with Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, and POP/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire. Linear regression models identified associations between clinical factors and Global Physical/Mental scores.

Results: Five hundred sixty-eight women (419 surgery, 149 pessary) were included. Surgery patients were younger, heavier, and more often sexually active (all P's ≤ 0.01). Global Physical scores were lower in the surgery versus pessary group, but not likely clinically meaningful (mean [SD], 48.8 [8.1] vs 50.4 [8.5]; P = 0.035); Global Mental scores were similar (51.4 [8.4] vs 51.9 [9.5], P = 0.56). Global Health scores correlated with Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, and POP/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire scores (all P's < 0.0001). In multivariable models, menopause was associated with better physical QOL, and constipation, coronary artery disease, pelvic pain, and increased body mass index with worse physical QOL. Age was associated with better mental QOL, and constipation, fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, and coronary artery disease with worse mental QOL.

Conclusions: Women choosing POP surgery versus pessary had similar physical and mental generic QOL.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Participant Flow Diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Weber LeBrun E, Adam RA, Barber MD, et al. Pelvic Floor Disorders Registry: Study design and outcome measures. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2016;22:70–6. - PubMed
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    1. Panman CMCR, Wiegersma M, Boudewijn J, et al. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pessary treatment compared with pelvic floor muscle training in older women with pelvic organ prolapse: 2-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial in primary care. Menopause. 2016;23:1307–18. - PubMed

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