Mitesh Parekh

A new measure of sexual function in women with pelvic floor disorders (PFD): the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR)

Introduction and hypothesisThe objective of this study was to create a valid, reliable, and responsive sexual function measure in women with pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) for both sexually active (SA) and inactive (NSA) women.MethodsExpert review identified concept gaps and generated items evaluated with cognitive interviews. Women underwent Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ) exams and completed the Incontinence Severity Index (ISI), a prolapse question from the Epidemiology of Prolapse and Incontinence Questionnaire (ISI scores), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Principle components and orthogonal varimax rotation and principle factor analysis with oblique rotation identified item grouping. Cronbach’s alpha measured internal consistency. Factor correlations evaluated criterion validation. Change scores compared to change scores in other measures evaluated responsiveness among women who underwent surgery.ResultsA total of 589 women gave baseline data, 200 returned surveys after treatment, and 147 provided test-retest data. For SA women, 3 subscales each in 2 domains (21 items) and for NSA women 2 subscales in each of 2 domains (12 items) emerged with robust psychometric properties. Cronbach’s alpha ranged from .63 to .91. For SA women, correlations were in the anticipated direction with PFDI-20, ISI, and FSFI scores, POPQ, and EPIQ question #35 (all p < .05). PFDI-20, ISI, and FSFI subscale change scores correlated with Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire International Urogynecological Association-revised (PISQ-IR) factor change scores and with mean change scores in women who underwent surgery (all p < .05). For NSA women, PISQ-IR scores correlated with PFDI-20, ISI scores, and with EPIQ question #35 (all p < .05). No items demonstrated differences between test and retest (all p ≥ .05), indicating stability over time.ConclusionsThe PISQ-IR is a valid, reliable, and responsive measure of sexual function.

Bilateral bladder erosion of a transobturator tape mesh.

BACKGROUND: The transobturator tape procedure is reported to be an effective procedure with low complication rates. CASE: A 45-year-old woman underwent surgery for prolapse and incontinence. The surgery included transobturator tape. Intraoperative cystoscopy was not performed. Postoperatively, a mesh erosion into the bladder on the left side and a large cystocele were diagnosed. The patient underwent a combined transurethral and suprapubic mesh resection. Six months later, she had another mesh erosion on the contralateral side. This time, a complete vaginal resection of the mesh was performed. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative cystoscopy should be considered after a transobturator tape procedure. Bilateral mesh erosion may result from motion of a cystocele against a fixed transobturator tape. Concurrent repair of the cystocele to prevent future mesh erosions may be warranted.

The PISQ-IR: considerations in scale scoring and development

IntroductionThis paper provides a detailed discussion of the psychometric analysis and scoring of a revised measure of sexual function in women with pelvic floor disorders (PFD): the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR).MethodsStandard tools for evaluating item distributions, relationships, and psychometric properties were used to identify sub-scales and determine how the sub-scales should be scored. The evaluation of items included a nonresponse analysis, the nature of missingness, and imputation methods. The minimum number of items required to be answered and three different scoring methods were evaluated: simple summation, mean calculation, and transformed summation.ResultsItem nonresponse levels are low in women who are sexually active and the psychometric properties of the scales are robust. Moderate levels of item nonresponse are present for women who are not sexually active, which presents some concerns relative to the robustness of the scales. Single imputation for missing items is not advisable and multiple imputation methods, while plausible, are not recommended owing to the complexity of their application in clinical research. The sub-scales can be scored using either mean calculation or transformed summation. Calculation of a summary score is not recommended.ConclusionThe PISQ-IR demonstrates strong psychometric properties in women who are sexually active and acceptable properties in those who are not sexually active. To score the PISQ-IR sub-scales, half of the items must be answered, imputation is not recommended, and either mean calculation or transformed sum methods are recommended. A summary score should not be calculated.

Multicenter inter-examiner agreement trial for the validation of simplified POPQ system

Introduction and hypothesisThe primary aim of this study was to evaluate the inter-examiner agreement of a previously described simplified pelvic organ prolapse quantification (S-POP) system in a multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded fashion. Pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) system’s use in daily practice is hampered due to perceived complexity and difficulty of use. The S-POP was introduced in order to make the POPQ user-friendly and increase its usage (Swift et al. in Int Urogynecol J 17(6):615–620, 2006).MethodsFive hundred eleven subjects underwent two separate pelvic exams in random order by two blinded examiners employing the S-POP at 12 centers around the world. Data were compared using weighted kappa statistics.ResultsThe weighted kappa statistics for the inter-examiner reliability of the S-POP were 0.87 for the overall stage, 0.89 and 0.81 for the anterior and posterior vaginal walls, 0.82 for the apex/cuff 0.89, and 0.84 for the cervix and vaginal fornix, respectively.ConclusionThere is an almost perfect inter-examiner agreement of the S-POP system for the overall stage and each point within the system.

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Two Procedures for Anterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse

To compare success rates between anterior colporrhaphy and abdominal paravaginal defect repair for treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Recurrent pelvic organ prolapse: International Urogynecological Association Research and Development Committee opinion

Introduction and hypothesisThis committee opinion paper summarizes available evidence about recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (POP) to provide guidance on management.MethodA working subcommittee from the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) Research and Development Committee was formed. The literature regarding recurrent POP was reviewed and summarized by individual members of the subcommittee. Recommendations were graded according to the 2009 Oxford Levels of Evidence. The summary was reviewed by the Committee.ResultsThere is no agreed definition for recurrent POP and evidence in relation to its evaluation and management is limited.ConclusionThe assessment of recurrent POP should entail looking for possible reason(s) for failure, including persistent and/or new risk factors, detection of all pelvic floor defects and checking for complications of previous surgery. The management requires individual evaluation of the risks and benefits of different options and appropriate patient counseling. There is an urgent need for an agreed definition and further research into all aspects of recurrent POP.

Spontaneous bladder rupture following cystoscopy with hydrodistention and biopsy in a female patient with interstitial cystitis.

We report a case of remote spontaneous rupture of urinary bladder following cystourethroscopy with hydrodistention and a bladder biopsy in a patient with interstitial cystitis. This required abdominal exploration with cystorrhaphy. This case emphasizes a unique and dangerous complication of this procedure in a patient with interstitial cystitis.

Comment on Meschia et al.: Peri-operative morbidity and early results of a randomised trial comparing TVT and TVT-O

We would like to congratulate Dr Meschia and colleagues on their study [1]. Their interim findings at 6 months reveal similar subjective and objective success rates. However, they report that the operative time to perform the tensionfree vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) was 9 min shorter than for the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT; 17±7 versus 26± 9 min, respectively, P<0.001). Moreover, they report that there were five (4%) bladder perforations with the TVT and none with the TVT-O procedure. We have the following questions and remarks to the authors: