A reliable, valid instrument to assess patient knowledge about urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

The objective of this study is to develop a reliable, validated questionnaire to assess patient knowledge about urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We designed a written questionnaire comprised of UI and POP scales and administered it to 133 gynecologic and 61 urogynecologic patients. We performed a principal components factor analysis for UI and POP items and assessed construct validity, internal consistency, and stability of each scale. For both scales, mean total urogynecologic group scores exceeded those for gynecologic patients (P values < 0.001), suggesting construct validity. Both scales had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.8). Mean test scores were slightly higher upon retest (UI, 0.46, P = 0.046; POP, 0.33, P = 0.126). Pearson's correlation between initial and repeat scores was high for UI (0.675) and POP scales (0.940), indicating questionnaire stability. We developed a reliable, valid instrument for assessing patient knowledge about UI and POP.

Surgery for stress urinary incontinence in the United States: does race play a role?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, demographics and complications of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery across races in the United States (US) in 2003. We hypothesized that there would be racial differences in surgical rates. Data from the 2003 National Census and National Hospital Discharge Survey were used. Continuous variables were tested for statistical significance by one-way analysis of variance and categorical variables by chi2 analysis. 129,778 women underwent SUI surgery in the US in 2003, a rate of 12 surgical procedures per 10,000 women (95% CI 10-14). By race, rates (per 10,000 women, 95% CI) of SUI surgery were: ten (7-12) in white women, three (0-9) in black women, and six (0-13) in women of other races. Racial disparities in the receipt of SUI surgery may exist.

The age distribution, rates, and types of surgery for stress urinary incontinence in the USA.

The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery across age groups in the USA in 2003. Patients were grouped into four age categories: reproductive, perimenopausal, postmenopausal, and elderly. Data from the 2003 National Hospital Discharge Survey and National Census were used to estimate surgical rates by age group. In 2003, 129,778 women underwent 165,776 surgical procedures for SUI. Of these women, 12.2, 53.0, 30.4, and 4.5% belonged to reproductive, perimenopausal, postmenopausal, and elderly age groups, respectively. Surgical rates (per 10,000 women) were 4, 17, 19, and 9 in these age groups, respectively. Complications occurred most frequently in reproductive age women. Overall, SUI surgical rates were similar for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women and exceeded that in the elderly population. The greatest percentage of surgical procedures occurred in perimenopausal women. Women at all stages of reproductive life may seek surgical treatment for SUI.

The age distribution, rates, and types of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in the USA.

The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery across age groups in the USA in 2003. Patients were grouped into four age categories: Reproductive age, perimenopausal, postmenopausal, and elderly. Data from the 2003 National Hospital Discharge Survey and National Census were used to estimate surgical rates by age group. In 2003, 199,698 women underwent a total of 311,587 surgical procedures for POP. Prolapse surgical rates (per 10,000 women) were 7, 24, 31, and 17 in reproductive age, perimenopausal, postmenopausal, and elderly age groups, respectively. Surgical complications occurred in 28.8, 19.6, 18.6, and 22.1% of women in these age groups, respectively. Mortality was uncommon. Although often considered a condition of the elderly, this study suggests that pelvic organ prolapse is a condition affecting women across the reproductive life cycle and for which women of all ages seek surgical treatment.

Racial characteristics of women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the prevalence, demographics, and complications of pelvic organ prolapse surgery across races in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: Data from the 2003 National Census and the 2003 National Hospital Discharge Survey were used to determine rates of prolapse surgery, demographic characteristics, morbidity, and mortality across races. RESULTS: In 2003, 199,698 women underwent prolapse surgery. Rates of prolapse surgery per 10,000 women were 14.8, 5.6, and 8.7 in women of white, black, and other races. By geographic region, surgical rates per 10,000 white vs black women differed most in the West (16.0 vs 0.8). Of black women, 27% were on public assistance, compared with 5.9% and 9.6% women of white and other races. Complications occurred in 19.4%, 34.1%, and 27.4% of women of white, black, other races. Mortality was uncommon for all races. CONCLUSION: Racial disparities between white and black women undergoing prolapse surgery appear to exist.