An international Urogynecological association (IUGA)/international continence society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for the assessment of sexual health of women with pelvic floor dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The terminology in current use for sexual function and dysfunction in women with pelvic floor disorders lacks uniformity, which leads to uncertainty, confusion, and unintended ambiguity. The terminology for the sexual health of women with pelvic floor dysfunction needs to be collated in a clinically-based consensus report. METHODS: This report combines the input of members of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA), and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by many external referees. Internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). Importantly, this report is not meant to replace, but rather complement current terminology used in other fields for female sexual health and to clarify terms specific to women with pelvic floor dysfunction. RESULTS: A clinically based terminology report for sexual health in women with pelvic floor dysfunction encompassing over 100 separate definitions, has been developed. Key aims have been to make the terminology interpretable by practitioners, trainees, and researchers in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Interval review (5-10 years) is anticipated to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. CONCLUSIONS: A consensus-based terminology report for female sexual health in women with pelvic floor dysfunction has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.

An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female anorectal dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The terminology for anorectal dysfunction in women has long been in need of a specific clinically-based Consensus Report. METHODS: This Report combines the input of members of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted on Committee by experts in their fields to form a Joint IUGA/ICS Working Group on Female Anorectal Terminology. Appropriate core clinical categories and sub classifications were developed to give an alphanumeric coding to each definition. An extensive process of twenty rounds of internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). RESULTS: A Terminology Report for anorectal dysfunction, encompassing over 130 separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically based with the most common diagnoses defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Female-specific anorectal investigations and imaging (ultrasound, radiology and MRI) has been included whilst appropriate figures have been included to supplement and help clarify the text. Interval review (5-10 years) is anticipated to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. CONCLUSIONS: A consensus-based Terminology Report for female anorectal dysfunction terminology has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: A new name for an old condition.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the new name for the conditions that formerly included vulvovaginal atrophy and atrophic vaginitis. GSM better describes the range of conditions associated with low estrogen levels in menopause and invites patient discussion without the use of words that might be uncomfortable to say. This article discusses the physiology of GSM and reviews both hormonal and nonhormonal treatment options.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: new terminology for vulvovaginal atrophy from the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health and the North American Menopause Society.

INTRODUCTION: The terminology for the genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause was vulvovaginal atrophy, which does not accurately describe the symptoms nor is a term that resonates well with patients. AIM: In 2012, the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) and the Board of Trustees of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) acknowledged the need to review current terminology associated with genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause. METHODS: The two societies cosponsored a terminology consensus conference, which was held in May 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The development of a new terminology that more accurately described the genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause. RESULTS: Members of the consensus conference agreed that the term genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a medically more accurate, all-encompassing, and publicly acceptable term than vulvovaginal atrophy. GSM is defined as a collection of symptoms and signs associated with a decrease in estrogen and other sex steroids involving changes to the labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule/introitus, vagina, urethra, and bladder. The syndrome may include but is not limited to genital symptoms of dryness, burning, and irritation; sexual symptoms of lack of lubrication, discomfort or pain, and impaired function; and urinary symptoms of urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Women may present with some or all of the signs and symptoms, which must be bothersome and should not be better accounted for by another diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The term GSM was presented and discussed at the annual meeting of each society. The respective Boards of NAMS and ISSWSH formally endorsed the new terminology--genitourinary syndrome of menopause--in 2014.

Steps through the revision process of reproductive health sections of ICD-11.

In 2007, the WHO initiated an organizational structure for the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Effective deployment of ICD-derived tools facilitates the use and collection of health information in a variety of resource settings, promoting quantitatively informed decisions. They also facilitate comparison of disease incidence and outcomes between different countries and different health care systems around the world. The Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) coordinates the revision of chapters 14 (diseases of the genitourinary system), 15 (pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium), and 16 (conditions originating in the perinatal period). RHR convened a technical advisory group (TAG), the Genito-Urinary Reproductive Medicine (GURM) TAG, for the ICD revision. The TAG's work reflects the collective understanding of sexual and reproductive health and is now available for review within the ICD-11 revision process.

Antimicrobials in urogenital infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and male genital infections are amongst the most prevalent infections. A prudent antibiotic policy therefore has a large impact on society. The clinical classification in uncomplicated cystitis, uncomplicated pyelonephritis, complicated UTI and genital infections is useful, also for the right choice of antibiotic treatment. In this regard pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects have to be considered. Nowadays in uncomplicated cystitis antibiotics exclusively reserved for this indication are preferred, such as fosfomycin trometamol, nitrofurantoin and pivmecillinam, in order to reduce antibiotic pressure in this extremely frequent entity. In complicated UTI a broad bacterial spectrum has to be considered. Different antibiotic substances should be used for treatment, such as penicillins, with ß-lactamase inhibitors, cephalosporins or carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides or cotrimoxazole, if tested susceptible. For genital infections the pharmacokinetic properties of the antibiotics should especially be considered, such as in prostatitis, where mainly fluoroquinolones and macrolides show sufficient pharmacokinetic parameters for treatment of bacterial infections. Furthermore in genital infections fastidious organisms, such as Chlamydia or Mycoplasma spp. have to be considered with respect to their antimicrobial susceptibility.

Congenital malformations of the female genital tract: the need for a new classification system.

Current proposals for classifying female genital anomalies seem to be associated with limitations in effective categorization, creating the need for a new classification system that is as simple as possible, clear and accurate in its definitions, comprehensive, and correlated with patients' clinical presentation, prognosis, and treatment on an evidence-based foundation. Although creating a new classification system is not an easy task, it is feasible when taking into account the experience gained from applying the existing classification systems, mainly that of the American Fertility Society.

An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Next to existing terminology of the lower urinary tract, due to its increasing complexity, the terminology for pelvic floor dysfunction in women may be better updated by a female-specific approach and clinically based consensus report. METHODS: This report combines the input of members of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two international organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA), and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by many external referees. Appropriate core clinical categories and a subclassification were developed to give an alphanumeric coding to each definition. An extensive process of 15 rounds of internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). RESULTS: A terminology report for female pelvic floor dysfunction, encompassing over 250 separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically based with the six most common diagnoses defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Female-specific imaging (ultrasound, radiology, and MRI) has been a major addition while appropriate figures have been included to supplement and help clarify the text. Ongoing review is not only anticipated but will be required to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. CONCLUSION: A consensus-based terminology report for female pelvic floor dysfunction has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.

The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scale: a methodological review.

BACKGROUND: This paper compiles data from different sources to get a first comprehensive picture of psychometric and other methodological characteristics of the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scale. The scale was designed and standardized as a self-administered scale to (a) to assess symptoms/complaints of aging women under different conditions, (b) to evaluate the severity of symptoms over time, and (c) to measure changes pre- and postmenopause replacement therapy. The scale became widespread used (available in 10 languages). METHOD: A large multinational survey (9 countries in 4 continents) from 2001/ 2002 is the basis for in depth analyses on reliability and validity of the MRS. Additional small convenience samples were used to get first impressions about test-retest reliability. The data were centrally analyzed. Data from a postmarketing HRT study were used to estimate discriminative validity. RESULTS: Reliability measures (consistency and test-retest stability) were found to be good across countries, although the sample size for test-retest reliability was small. VALIDITY: The internal structure of the MRS across countries was astonishingly similar to conclude that the scale really measures the same phenomenon in symptomatic women. The sub-scores and total score correlations were high (0.7-0.9) but lower among the sub-scales (0.5-0.7). This however suggests that the subscales are not fully independent. Norm values from different populations were presented showing that a direct comparison between Europe and North America is possible, but caution recommended with comparisons of data from Latin America and Indonesia. But this will not affect intra-individual comparisons within clinical trials. The comparison with the Kupperman Index showed sufficiently good correlations, illustrating an adept criterion-oriented validity. The same is true for the comparison with the generic quality-of-life scale SF-36 where also a sufficiently close association has been shown. CONCLUSION: The currently available methodological evidence points towards a high quality of the MRS scale to measure and to compare HRQoL of aging women in different regions and over time, it suggests a high reliability and high validity as far as the process of construct validation could be completed yet.

Triage clinics: a way forward in genitourinary medicine.

Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led triage clinic in genitourinary medicine (GUM). A prospective study was made of 200 consecutive patients attending the triage clinic in the GUM Department, Portsmouth. These patients were seen by the triage nurse and treated according to clinic guidelines. The consultants reviewed the case notes to assess the appropriateness of management. During the 6-week study period, 3009 patients were seen in the department. Of the 200 patients seen in the triage clinic, 38 were referred to a doctor during the initial visit. One or more sexually transmitted or associated infections were found in 61 female and 58 male patients. Six female and 4 male patients were not treated according to the clinic guidelines. Given appropriate education and training and working within a supportive framework the nurse undertaking a triage role in GUM can provide a highly effective and high-quality service to patients.

An audit of diagnostic coding in genitourinary medicine clinics. Trent Region Genitourinary Medicine Audit Group.

The KC60 diagnostic code information provides an epidemiological monitor of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and a means of standardizing clinical workload in genitourinary medicine (GUM) departments. We aimed to assess the coding process and its uniformity within the Trent region by means of a confidential self-administered coding exercise with simulated case presentations. The correct coding for STIs ranged from 59.4% to 100% in different scenarios. Difficulty was identified in the coding of vulvitis and balanitis where no organism was isolated, as represented by a wide range of codes. HIV pre-test counselling without testing was coded by only 57.8% of respondents. Over 95% indicated correctly the first hepatitis B vaccine dose but 21% failed to code once only for the course. Coding practice also varied within individual sites with a 21-100% discordance. In parts diagnostic accuracy was good but there were areas of non-uniformity both within sites and cross-regionally. Regional discussions have resulted in increased training opportunities and guidelines have been developed to increase uniformity and achieve consensus in uncertain areas.

[A classification system of anogenital findings. A diagnostic tool in the assessment of sexually abused children]. / Klassifikasjonsliste av anogenitale funn. Et hjelpemiddel i diagnostikken av seksuelle overgrep mot barn.

The assessment of suspected sexual child abuse demands teamwork where the paediatrician plays a central role. From a juridical point of view, the task of the paediatrician is to evaluate the anatomic, microbiologic and forensic medical findings. In 1995, in order to improve the quality of this work, Norwegian paediatricians established a peer review group which meets on a regular basis. Based on available literature and the experience of the individual members, a classification system for anogenital findings has been developed. The findings are divided into five classes. Class one comprises findings frequently seen in children who have not been abused. Class two comprises findings not considered to be normal, but for which there could be many different causes. Classes three, four and five represent findings which are increasingly predictive with respect to injury penetration or attempted penetration. Since our knowledge of anogenital anatomy in children who have not been abused is limited, our classification system should be updated regularly.

[The problem of diagnosis and treatment of urogenital chlamydiosis in Russia]. / Problema diagnostiki i lecheniia urogenital'nogo khlamidioza v Rossii.

The problems associated with the distribution, diagnosis, classification and treatment of urogenital tract chlamydiosis in Russia are discussed. Some arrangements for the improvement of the activities of the laboratory diagnostic services, the use of the International Classification of urogenital tract chlamydioses and the treatment optimization are offered. The drug of choice in the treatment of urogenital tract chlamydiosis is azithromycin (Sumamed, Pliva). Doxycycline, erythromycin and ofloxacin are recommended as the reserve drugs.