Quality of Life in Women Who Use Pessaries for Longer Than 12 Months. Issue 3 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tenfelde, Sandi; Tell, Dina; Thomas, Tonya Nicole; Kenton, Kimberly
• Is Part Of: Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery. Volume 21:Issue 3(2015:May/Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: pessary -- quality of life; Pelvis -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Pelvis -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female -- surgery -- Periodicals; Urologic Diseases -- surgery -- Periodicals; Colonic Diseases -- surgery -- Periodicals; Rectal Diseases -- surgery -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Operative -- methods -- Periodicals; 616.6
• DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000154
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2151-8378

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Pessaries are an effective treatment for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence; however, few data exist describing long-term pessary use. Our aim was to describe symptom bother and quality of life (QoL) in women using pessaries for urinary incontinence and/or prolapse for at least 12 months. Methods: Consecutive women who met inclusion criteria were approached for this observational cross-sectional study. Wilson and Cleary's Health-Related Quality of Life Model guided the inclusion of biologic, functional, and individual factors that impact the health-related QoL. Consenting participants completed a generalized QoL index, the Center for Epidemiologic Depression Symptoms, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, and condition-specific measures; the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20-SF) and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire. Results: Fifty-six women, mean age 74.4 years (range, 47–89 years), completed the survey. Mean length of time for pessary use was 4.5 years (1–15 years). Most of the women (n = 31, 55.4%) returned to the clinic for pessary care every 3 months. There was no difference in generalized QoL nor condition-specific total PFDI-20 in women performing self-care versus routine follow-up. Almost one third (29%) of participants reported complications related to pessary use (eg, vaginal erosion), and 41%were considering surgical repair in the near future. Women who were considering surgery had higher PFDI-20 scores relating to more bothersome prolapse symptoms than those not considering surgery (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory 6, 33.91 vs 24.73, P = 0.03). Conclusions: Pessaries can be used to control pelvic floor symptoms for extended periods. Complication rates in this study were lower than previously reported, even in women not doing self-care. Not surprisingly, women considering surgical intervention reported greater symptom bother despite pessary use. Abstract : Pessaries are an effective treatment for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, however, few data exist describing long term pessary use. The findings from this study indicate that long term pessary users generally are happy with pessaries and symptoms control.