Treatment-seeking behaviour and social status of women with pelvic organ prolapse, 4th-degree obstetric tears,and obstetric fistula in western Uganda

Introduction and hypothesis

This study looks at a trilogy of women’s health issues including severe pelvic organ prolapse, unrepaired 4th degree obstetric tears and obstetric fistula, all of which can cause significant suffering in the lives of women and their families.

Methods

Women undergoing surgery for severe pelvic organ prolapse, unrepaired 4th degree obstetric tears and obstetric fistulae, were interviewed to assess their perceptions of what caused their condition, subsequent impact on their social situation and sexual activity, and whether they had sought treatment previously.

Results

One hundred fifty women participated in the survey, including 69 undergoing surgery for genito-urinary fistula, 25 with faecal incontinence only (including 24 women with unrepaired 4th degree obstetric tears and 1 woman with an isolated rectovaginal fistula), and 56 women with severe pelvic organ prolapse. All groups of women were exposed to abandonment by their families with 42 % of women with genito-urinary fistula, 21 % with unrepaired 4th degree obstetric tear, and 25 % of women with severe pelvic organ prolapse rejected by their husbands. Most of the women had actively sought treatment for their condition with no success due to unavailability of treatment or misinformation.

Conclusions

This study confirms the social stigma associated with obstetric fistula, however also highlights the social stigma faced by women suffering with severe pelvic organ prolapse and unrepaired 4th degree obstetric tears in western Uganda. There is an urgent need for education and training in obstetric management and pelvic organ prolapse management in such areas of limited resources.     

Prevalence of obstetric fistula and symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in rural Ethiopia

Introduction and objective

Little is known about the extent to which women in low- and middle-income countries suffer with urological and urogynaecological complications of childbirth. This study measured the prevalence of obstetric fistula and symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in east and north Ethiopia.

Methods

We randomly selected 23,023 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) from 113 villages in East Harraghe, South Gondar and West Gojjam, Ethiopia. Trained local health workers administered a validated face-to-face survey and a team of researchers verified data by readministering a random selection (5 %) of the survey. All suspected fistulae were followed up to confirm a clinical diagnosis.

Results

Mean age was 29.5 [standard deviation (SD) 8.05] years. Only 22 % of women were knowledgeable about the symptoms of fistula. The prevalence of all obstetric fistulae was 6:10,000 reproductive-aged women [95 % confidence interval (CI) 3–8], of untreated fistula 2:10,000 (95 % CI 0–4) and of symptomatic POP 100:10,000 (95 % CI 86–114).

Conclusion

The prevalence of obstetric fistula in these rural zones of Ethiopia is relatively low and reflects a substantial reduction from previous reports. Significant numbers of women suffer with symptomatic POP, for which surgical and nonsurgical treatments would be beneficial.

Brief summary

Obstetric fistula in north and east Ethiopia is relatively low; however, the many women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse could benefit from treatment.

     

Sexual function in women with pelvic organ prolapse compared to women without pelvic organ prolapse

PURPOSE: We compared sexual function in women with pelvic organ prolapse to that in women without prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected sexual function data using a standardized, validated, condition specific questionnaire. The study group consisted of 30 women with pelvic organ prolapse and it was compared with 30 unmatched controls without evidence of prolapse. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar in age, race, parity and postmenopausal hormone use. Subjects in the study group were more likely to have undergone previous pelvic surgery. Mean total Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire scores +/- SD were lower in the study group compared with controls (81.4 +/- 7.3 vs 106.4 +/- 15.5, p <0.001). In the study group total questionnaire scores in women with prior pelvic surgery were similar to those in women without prior pelvic surgery (79.3 +/- 14.9 vs 82.9 +/- 10.2, p = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic organ prolapse appears to have a significant negative impact on sexual function.     

Demand and capacity to integrate pelvic organ prolapse and genital fistula services in low-resource settings

Introduction and hypothesis

There is a need for expanded access to safe surgical care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as illustrated by the report of the 2015 Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. Packages of closely-related surgical procedures may create platforms of capacity that maximize impact in LMIC. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and genital fistula care provide an example. Although POP affects many more women in LMICs than fistula, donor support for fistula treatment in LMICs has been underway for decades, whereas treatment for POP is usually limited to hysterectomy-based surgical treatment, occurring with little to no donor support. This capacity-building discrepancy has resulted in POP care that is often non-adherent to international standards and in non-integration of POP and fistula services, despite clear areas of similarity and overlap. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and potential value of integrating POP services at fistula centers.

Methods

Fistula repair sites supported by the Fistula Care Plus project were surveyed on current demand for and capacity to provide POP, in addition to perceptions about integrating POP and fistula repair services.

Results

Respondents from 26 hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia completed the survey. Most fistula centers (92%) reported demand for POP services, but many cannot meet this demand. Responses indicated a wide variation in assessment and grading practices for POP; approaches to lower urinary tract symptom evaluation; and surgical skills with regard to compartment-based POP, and urinary and rectal incontinence. Fistula surgeons identified integration synergies but also potential conflicts.

Conclusions

Integration of genital fistula and POP services may enhance the quality of POP care while increasing the sustainability of fistula care.

     

Effects of colpocleisis on bowel symptoms among women with severe pelvic organ prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis  

Our objective was to evaluate bowel symptoms after colpocleisis.     

Large vesicovaginal fistula in women with pelvic organ prolapse: the role of colpocleisis revisited

Successful repair of large vesicovaginal fistulas poses a significant challenge in surgically unfit older women with pelvic organ prolapse. Two women, at ages of 85 and 93, referred for involuntary urine loss were found to have neglected pessaries resulting in large vesicovaginal fistulas. After the removal of the pessary, fistula repair and LeFort colpocleisis were done with success. At 12 months postoperatively, the patients were free of leakage and prolapse. For frail, elderly women with large vesicovaginal fistula and pelvic organ prolapse, addition of LeFort colpocleisis to the repair provides an effective treatment for both.     

Symptoms,bother and POPQ in women referred with pelvic organ prolapse

The aim of this study was to evaluate symptoms and bother in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to compare symptoms with POP-Q grading and measurements. One hundred and ten women with POP filled in a symptom-bother questionnaire concerning frequency of mechanical, bladder, bowel and sexual problems, and a 4-point bother score. The POP was grouped grade 0-1 versus grade >or=2 in each compartment. Symptoms more than once per week were associated with a higher bother score. Mechanical symptoms, reported in 70%, were the most troublesome. Various bladder, bowel and sexual symptoms were reported in 5%-52%, 5%-39%, and 35%-57%, respectively. We concluded that symptoms from all domains were frequent and reported generally and with little relation to prolapse in a specific compartment or POP-Q value.     

LOX family enzymes expression in vaginal tissue of premenopausal women with severe pelvic organ prolapse

Introduction and Hypothesis  

The extracellular matrix proteins collagen and elastin provide tissue strength and resilience, whereas lysyl oxidase enzymes play a major role in their stabilization. This study examines the expression and tissue localization of lysyl oxidase family proteins in the anterior vaginal wall of premenopausal women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP, n = 15) and asymptomatic controls (n = 11). All women were in the proliferative phase of menstrual cycle.     

Correlation of pelvic organ prolapse quantification system scores with obstetric parameters and lower urinary tract symptoms in primiparae postpartum

This study investigated the correlation between results of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) system at 3 days and at 2 months postpartum with obstetric parameters and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in 125 primiparae with vaginal delivery. The clinical characteristics, prevalence of pregnancy-related LUTS, and POPQ scores were evaluated. Regarding the relationship of obstetric parameters with POPQ scoring, the gh was found positively correlated with the body mass index and vaginal laceration at 2 months postpartum. The POPQ evaluation did not find the LUTS to be significantly related to the prolapse score. The mean scores of points C and D were significantly increased, and gh, pb, and tvl were significantly decreased between the initial and 2-month follow-up scores. Our results revealed that a decrease in vaginal size is the principal change during the first 2 months postpartum and that with the exception of gh, neither the obstetric parameters nor the LUTS were associated with the POPQ scoring system.     

Interethnic variation in pelvic floor morphology in women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis

There is a lack of epidemiological studies evaluating female pelvic organ prolapse in developing countries. Current studies have largely focused on women of white ethnicity. This study was designed to determine interethnic variation in pelvic floor functional anatomy, namely, levator hiatal distensibility and pelvic organ descent, in women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in a multi-ethnic South African population.

Methods

This prospective observational study included 258 consecutive women referred for pelvic organ prolapse assessment and management at a tertiary urogynaecological clinic. After a detailed history and clinical examination, including POPQ assessment, patients underwent a 4D transperineal ultrasound. Offline analysis was performed using 4D View software. Main outcome measures included levator muscle distensibility, pelvic organ descent, and levator ani defects (avulsion).

Results

Mean age was 60.6 (range, 25–91) years, mean BMI 29.83 (range, 18–53). Points Ba and C were lower and the genital hiatus more distensible in black women (all p < 0.05). They were found to have greater hiatal area (p = 0.017 at rest, p = 0.006 on Valsalva) compared with South Asians and whites and showed greater pelvic organ mobility (all p < 0.05) than Caucasians on ultrasound. Levator defects were found in 32.2% (n = 83) of patients and most were bilateral (48.2%, n = 40), with significant interethnic differences (p = 0.014).

Conclusion

There was significant variation in clinical prolapse stage, levator distensibility, and pelvic organ descent in this racially diverse population presenting with pelvic organ prolapse, with South Asians having a lower avulsion rate than the other two ethnic groups (p = 0.014).

     

Characterising women with obstetric fistula and urogenital tract injuries in Tanzania

Introduction and hypothesis

World Health Organisation (WHO) data suggest that more than two million women and girls live with fistula and that an additional 50–100,000 are newly affected each year. In Tanzania, it has been estimated that there are between 1,200 and 3,000 new cases of obstetric fistula annually.

Methods

To characterize women undergoing surgery in 2011 for obstetric fistula repair at a disability hospital associated with Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT), we identified routinely collected data and input into an Access database.

Results

Women affected by obstetric fistulae in Tanzania are frequently young, poorly educated, primiparous, subsistence farmers or housewives and have experienced obstructed labour as a result of delays occurring at home and/or after reaching a health facility. The majority experienced stillbirth, particularly in cases of assisted or operative delivery. Success rates for fistula closure were high, at 91 %, but residual incontinence on discharge from hospital was seen in 39 %.

Conclusions

Longer-term follow-up is required to determine rates of disabling residual incontinence and to examine demographics in greater depth, including variation between regions and in urban, periurban and rural settings in Tanzania.     

Uterosacral ligament in postmenopausal women with or without pelvic organ prolapse

The uterosacral ligaments are thought to contribute to pelvic support. The objective of this study was to compare the structural components of these ligaments in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We characterized uterosacral ligaments of 25 postmenopausal women with POP and 16 controls histomorphologically and immunohistochemically by quantifying their content of collagen I, III, and smooth muscle using a computerized image analysis. In 84% the uterosacral ligaments were composed of more than 20% of smooth muscle cells. There was no difference in collagen I expression and smooth muscle cell amount between women with POP and those without. In contrast, the collagen III expression was significantly related to the presence of POP (p<0.001) rather than age or parity. Our findings suggest that the higher collagen III expression might be a typical characteristic of POP patients connective tissue. The considerable amount of smooth muscle cells in uterosacral ligaments may provide pelvic support.