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Among women with symptomatic uterovaginal prolapse undergoing vaginal surgery in the Vaginal hysterectomy with Native Tissue Vault Suspension vs Sacrospinous Hysteropexy with Graft Suspension (Study for Uterine Prolapse Procedures Randomized Trial) trial, sacrospinous hysteropexy with graft (hysteropexy) resulted in a lower composite surgical failure rate than vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral suspension over 5 years.This study aimed to identify factors associated with the rate of surgical failure over 5 years among women undergoing sacrospinous hysteropexy with graft vs vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral suspension for uterovaginal prolapse.This planned secondary analysis of a comparative effectiveness trial of 2 transvaginal apical suspensions (NCT01802281) defined surgical failure as either retreatment of prolapse, recurrence of prolapse beyond the hymen, or bothersome prolapse symptoms. Baseline clinical and sociodemographic factors for eligible participants receiving the randomized surgery (N=173) were compared across categories of failure (≤1 year,1 year, and no failure) with rank-based tests. Factors with adequate prevalence and clinical relevance were assessed for minimally adjusted bivariate associations using piecewise exponential survival models adjusting for randomized apical repair and clinical site. The multivariable model included factors with bivariate P.2, additional clinically important variables, apical repair, and clinical site. Backward selection determined final retained risk factors (P.1) with statistical significance evaluated by Bonferroni correction (P.005). Final factors were assessed for interaction with type of apical repair at P.1. Association is presented by adjusted hazard ratios and further illustrated by categorization of risk factors.In the final multivariable model, body mass index (increase of 5 kg/mObesity and duration of prolapse symptoms have been determined as risk factors associated with surgical failure over 5 years from transvaginal prolapse repair, regardless of approach. Providers and patients should consider these modifiable risk factors when discussing treatment plans for bothersome prolapse.

Background Prolapse recurrence after transvaginal surgical repair is common; however, its mechanisms are ill-defined. A thorough understanding of how and why prolapse repairs fail is needed to address their high rate of anatomic recurrence and to develop novel therapies to overcome defined deficiencies. Objective This study aimed to identify mechanisms and contributors of anatomic recurrence after vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension (native tissue repair) vs transvaginal mesh (VM) hysteropexy surgery for uterovaginal prolapse. Study Design This multicenter study was conducted in a subset of participants in a randomized clinical trial by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. Overall, 94 women with uterovaginal prolapse treated via native tissue repair (n=48) or VM hysteropexy (n=46) underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging at rest, maximal strain, and poststrain rest (recovery) 30 to 42 months after surgery. Participants who desired reoperation before 30 to 42 months were imaged earlier to assess the impact of the index surgery. Using a novel 3-dimensional pelvic coordinate system, coregistered midsagittal images were obtained to assess study outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging–based anatomic recurrence (failure) was defined as prolapse beyond the hymen. The primary outcome was the mechanism of failure (apical descent vs anterior vaginal wall elongation), including the frequency and site of failure. Secondary outcomes included displacement of the vaginal apex and perineal body and change in the length of the anterior wall, posterior wall, vaginal perimeter, and introitus of the vagina from rest to strain and rest to recovery. Group differences in the mechanism, frequency, and site of failure were assessed using the Fisher exact tests, and secondary outcomes were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results Of the 88 participants analyzed, 37 (42%) had recurrent prolapse (VM hysteropexy, 13 of 45 [29%]; native tissue repair, 24 of 43 [56%]). The most common site of failure was the anterior compartment (VM hysteropexy, 38%; native tissue repair, 92%). The primary mechanism of recurrence was apical descent (VM hysteropexy, 85%; native tissue repair, 67%). From rest to strain, failures (vs successes) had greater inferior displacement of the vaginal apex (difference, −12 mm; 95% confidence interval, −19 to −6) and perineal body (difference, −7 mm; 95% confidence interval, −11 to −4) and elongation of the anterior vaginal wall (difference, 12 mm; 95% confidence interval, 8–16) and vaginal introitus (difference, 11 mm; 95% confidence interval, 7–15). Conclusion The primary mechanism of prolapse recurrence following vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension or VM hysteropexy was apical descent. In addition, greater inferior descent of the vaginal apex and perineal body, lengthening of the anterior vaginal wall, and increased size of the vaginal introitus with strain were associated with anatomic failure. Further studies are needed to provide additional insight into the mechanism by which these factors contribute to anatomic failure.

BACKGROUND: Utility preference scores are standardized generic health related quality of life (HRQOL) measures that quantify disease severity and burden and summarize morbidity on a scale from 0 (death) to 1 (optimum health). Utility scores are widely used to measure HRQOL and in cost-effectiveness research. OBJECTIVE: To determine the responsiveness, validity properties and minimal important difference (MID) of utility scores, as measured by the Short Form 6D (SF-6D) and EuroQol (EQ-5D), in women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). STUDY DESIGN: This study combined data from four large U.S. multicenter surgical trials enrolling 1,321 women with pelvic organ prolapse. We collected condition-specific quality of life data using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ). A subset of women completed the SF6D; women in two trials also completed the EQ5D. Mean utility scores were compared from baseline to 12 months after surgery. Responsiveness was assessed using effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM). Validity properties were assessed by 1) comparing changes in utility scores at 12 months between surgical successes and failures as defined in each study and 2) correlating changes in utility scores with changes in the PFDI and PFIQ. MID was estimated using both anchor-based (SF-36 general health global rating scale “somewhat better” vs. “no change”) and distribution-based methods. RESULTS: The mean SF-6D score improved 0.050, from 0.705 +/− 0.126 at baseline to 0.761 +/− 0.131 at 12 months, p

Functional status plays an important role in the comprehensive characterization of older adults. Functional limitations are associated with an increased risk of adverse treatment outcomes, but there are limited data on the prevalence of functional limitations in older women with pelvic floor disorders.The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of functional limitations based on health status in older women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).This pooled, cross-sectional study utilized data from the linked Health and Retirement Study and Medicare files from 1992 through 2008. The analysis included 890 women age ≥65 years with POP. We assessed self-reported functional status, categorized in strength, upper and lower body mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental ADL (IADL) domains. Functional limitations were evaluated and stratified by respondents self-reported general health status. Descriptive statistics were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, and logistic regression was used to measure differences in the odds of functional limitation by increasing age.The prevalence of functional limitations was 76.2% in strength, 44.9% in upper and 65.8% in lower body mobility, 4.5% in ADL, and 13.6% in IADL. Limitations were more prevalent in women with poor or fair health status than in women with good health status, including 91.5% vs 69.9% in strength, 72.9% vs 33.5% in upper and 88.0% vs 56.8% in lower body mobility, 11.6% vs 0.9% in ADL, and 30.6% vs 6.7% in IADL; all P.01. The odds of all functional limitations also increased significantly with advancing age.Functional limitations, especially in strength and body mobility domains, are highly prevalent in older women with POP, particularly in those with poor or fair self-reported health status. Future research is necessary to evaluate if functional status affects clinical outcomes in pelvic reconstructive and gynecologic surgery and whether it should be routinely assessed in clinical decision-making when treating older women with POP.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the urinary microbiota in women who are planning treatment for urgency urinary incontinence and to describe clinical associations with urinary symptoms, urinary tract infection, and treatment outcomes.Catheterized urine samples were collected from multisite randomized trial participants who had no clinical evidence of urinary tract infection; 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to dichotomize participants as either DNA sequence-positive or sequence-negative. Associations with demographics, urinary symptoms, urinary tract infection risk, and treatment outcomes were determined. In sequence-positive samples, microbiotas were characterized on the basis of their dominant microorganisms.More than one-half (51.1%; 93/182) of the participants' urine samples were sequence-positive. Sequence-positive participants were younger (55.8 vs 61.3 years old; P = .0007), had a higher body mass index (33.7 vs 30.1 kg/m(2); P = .0009), had a higher mean baseline daily urgency urinary incontinence episodes (5.7 vs 4.2 episodes; P.0001), responded better to treatment (decrease in urgency urinary incontinence episodes, -4.4 vs -3.3; P = .0013), and were less likely to experience urinary tract infection (9% vs 27%; P = .0011). In sequence-positive samples, 8 major bacterial clusters were identified; 7 clusters were dominated not only by a single genus, most commonly Lactobacillus (45%) or Gardnerella (17%), but also by other taxa (25%). The remaining cluster had no dominant genus (13%).DNA sequencing confirmed urinary bacterial DNA in many women with urgency urinary incontinence who had no signs of infection. Sequence status was associated with baseline urgency urinary incontinence episodes, treatment response, and posttreatment urinary tract infection risk.

Objective This study was undertaken to compare resource use outcomes for participants in the Medicine or Surgery (Ms) randomized trial. Study design In a randomized controlled trial, we compared resources used during a 24-month follow-up period by women with abnormal uterine bleeding who were randomly assigned to either expanded medical treatment or hysterectomy. Results Women randomly assigned to hysterectomy used significantly more resources (medicine = $4479, hysterectomy=$6777; P = .03), with almost all the difference caused by the hysterectomy procedure. Fifty-three percent of women randomly assigned to medicine had a hysterectomy during the follow-up period; women who were able to continue on medical therapy had mean total resource use of $2595 compared with $6128 for medicine patients who eventually had surgery. Conclusion For women with abnormal uterine bleeding refractory to cyclic medroxyprogesterone acetate, compared with expanded medical treatment, hysterectomy increases resource use significantly and results in better clinical and 6-month quality-of-life outcomes.

Objective The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with urinary incontinence severity at baseline in women undergoing surgery for stress incontinence. Study design Baseline data were obtained from 650 women (age 28 to 81 years) with stress incontinence participating in a randomized surgical trial. Severity of incontinence was defined by the mean number of incontinence episodes per day recorded in a 3-day bladder diary. The relationships between severity and several baseline variables were examined, including demographics, medical, obstetric, and gynecologic history, body mass index, smoking status, Q-tip displacement, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification stage (POP-Q). Results In a multivariable model, severity of incontinence was positively associated with body mass index ( P = .0003) and current smoking ( P = .01), and negatively associated with prolapse stage ( P P = .042). Conclusion Incontinence severity in a surgical population was independently associated with 2 modifiable factors, obesity and tobacco use, as well as pelvic support.

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess a cohort of patients who underwent a colpocleisis procedure more than 1 year post operation to determine: 1) the proportion of patients who regretted having the procedure, 2) patient satisfaction with the procedure, and 3) changes in symptom severity after surgery. Study design Using the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Genitourinary Disorders Center database, a prospective analysis was performed on 54 patients who underwent colpocleisis between August 1996 and April 2003. From August to October of 2004, participants were contacted by an investigator not involved with the surgery and were asked 1) "do you regret having your surgery, and, if so, why?," 2) "how satisfied are you with your progress (completely, somewhat, or not)?," and 3) to repeat the short form Incontinence Impact Questionnaire/Urogenital Distress Inventory (IIQ-7/UDI-6). Results Fifty-nine percent (32/54) of potential candidates participated in the study. Nine percent (3/32) of patients regretted having colpocleisis performed. Fifty-seven percent (16/28) were completely satisfied, 29% (8/28) somewhat satisfied, and 14% (4/28) not satisfied. Mean IIQ score improved significantly from 40.9 (±31.7) at baseline to 14.1 (±26.7) at last interview ( P = .003). Mean UDI score improved significantly from 63.1 (±24.3) at baseline to 24.2 (±26.7) at last interview ( P = .001). There was a negative correlation between change in UDI scores with time since procedure ( r = −.397, P = .055) and age ( r = −.435, P = .034). Conclusion Few patients reported regret after partial colpocleisis. There was a high rate of patient satisfaction and significant symptom improvement more than a year post surgery. Stable but smaller improvements were reported with longer time from surgery and increasing age.

The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of full-length cadaveric fascia lata (CFL) sling on quality-of-life outcomes.Patients were 102 women (aged 29 to 87 years) who underwent the sling procedure for stress incontinence associated with intrinsic sphincter deficiency. They were followed up at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months with the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), and a patient satisfaction questionnaire.Mean IIQ score declined from 55.1 before surgery to 11.0 at 12 months (P.001). Mean UDI score declined from 67.1 to 28.0 at 12 months (P.01). At 12 months, 79.7% of patients reported that leakage was better or much better, and 90.2% reported that they were somewhat or completely satisfied with their progress. Results were maintained throughout the 48-month follow-up period.The CFL sling procedure has an enduring beneficial effect on lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life.

Female urinary microbiota are associated with urgency urinary incontinence and response to medication. The urinary microbiota of women with stress urinary incontinence has not been described.We sought to study the cross-sectional relationships between urinary microbiota features and demographic and clinical characteristics of women undergoing stress urinary incontinence surgery.Preoperative urine specimens were collected from women without urinary tract infection and were available from 197 women (174 voided, 23 catheterized) enrolled in a multicenter prospective randomized trial, the Value of Urodynamic Evaluation study. Demographic and clinical variables were obtained including stress and urgency urinary incontinence symptoms, menopausal status, and hormone use. The bacterial composition of the urine was qualitatively assessed by sequencing the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Phylogenetic relatedness and microbial alpha diversity were compared to demographics and symptoms using generalized estimating equation models.The majority of 197 urine samples (86%) had detectable bacterial DNA. Bacterial diversity was significantly associated with higher body mass index (P = .02); increased Medical, Epidemiologic, and Social Aspects of Aging urge index score (P = .04); and hormonal status (P.001). No associations were detected with stress urinary incontinence symptoms. Increased diversity was also associated with a concomitant lower frequency of Lactobacillus in hormone-negative women.Women undergoing stress urinary incontinence surgery have detectable urinary microbiota. This cross-sectional analysis revealed that increased diversity of the microbiota was associated with urgency urinary incontinence symptoms, hormonal status, and body mass index. In contrast, the female urinary microbiota were not associated with stress urinary incontinence symptoms.

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes after sacrocolpopexy (SC) between obese and healthy-weight women. Study Design Baseline and postoperative data were analyzed from the Colpopexy And Urinary Reduction Efforts (CARE) randomized trial of SC with or without Burch colposuspension in stress continent women with stages II-IV prolapse. Outcomes and complications were compared between obese and healthy-weight women. Results CARE participants included 74 obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 ), 122 overweight (25-29.9 kg/m 2 ), and 125 healthy-weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ) women, and 1 underweight ( 2 ) woman. Compared to healthy-weight women, obese women were younger (59.0 ± 9.9 vs 62.1 ± 10.3 yrs; P = .04), more likely to have stage II prolapse (25.7% vs 11.2%; P = .01), and had longer operative times (189 ± 52 vs 169 ± 58 min; P = .02). Two years after surgery, stress incontinence, prolapse, symptom resolution, and satisfaction did not differ between the obese and healthy-weight groups. Conclusion Most outcomes and complication rates after SC are similar in obese and healthy-weight women.

The purpose of this study was to describe the teaching and practicing of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) before and after delivery.This was a secondary data analysis from a prospective multicenter cohort study, the Childbirth and Pelvic Symptoms study, by the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. Primiparous women (n = 759) with term singleton delivery were interviewed 6 months after delivery.Sixty-four percent of the women had been taught PFME, most with verbal (76%) and/or written instructions (55%) and a few (10%) during pelvic examination. Women with anal sphincter tears were not more likely to receive instruction or reminders after delivery. More white women (75%) were taught PFME than were Asian women (48%), African American women (36%), or Hispanic women (39%; P.0001). More women with college education (74%) were taught, compared with women without a college education (37%; P.0001). Of those women who were taught, 68% performed PFME after delivery, and 63% were still performing the exercises 6 months after delivery.Results reveal tremendous potential for the improvement of PFME education and targeting at-risk women in the peripartum period.

The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the cases of patients who had undergone a high uterosacral suspension and anterior repair with anterior compartment placement of porcine dermis graft.Thirty-six patients who underwent transvaginal high uterosacral suspension and cystocele repair with graft augmentation from June 2001 to July 2004 were identified from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Genitourinary Disorders database. Analysis included the pre- and postoperative Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification examinations and incontinence impact questionnaire-7/urogenital distress inventory-6.Mean Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification Ba improved from +3.3 +/- 2.2 cm to -0.6 +/- 1.7 cm (P.01). Postoperative Ba was prolapse stage II or greater in 50% of subjects. Mean incontinence impact questionnaire-7 scores improved from 36.2 +/- 31.9 to 15.6 +/- 26.2 (P.01), as did mean urogenital distress inventory-6 scores from 58.2 +/- 26.8 to 23.8 +/- 22.6 (P.01).Significant improvements in Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification measures, urinary symptoms, and the impact of incontinence were seen after the operation. However, a significant proportion of patients had Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification stage II prolapse or greater, which made it unclear whether graft use confers a significant advantage.

Objective The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and impact upon quality of life of anal incontinence (AI) in women aged 18 to 65. Study design Consecutive women presenting for general gynecologic care were given a bowel function questionnaire. Women with AI were prompted to complete the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL). Results The cohort was composed of 457 women with a mean age of 39.9 ± 11 years. AI prevalence was 28.4% (95% CI 24.4–32.8). After logistic regression, IBS (OR 3.22, 1.75–5.93), constipation (OR 2.11, 1.22–3.63), age (OR 1.05, 1.03–1.07), and BMI (OR 1.04, 1.01–1.08) remained significant risk factors. The mean FISI score was 20.4 ± 12.4. Women with only flatal incontinence scored higher, and women with liquid loss scored lower on all 4 scales of the FIQL. Conclusion AI is prevalent in women seeking benign gynecologic care, and liquid stool incontinence has the greatest impact upon quality of life.

Objective: This study was conducted to identify obstetric risk factors for anal sphincter tear in primiparous patients, patients with a previous cesarean delivery (VBAC), and patients with a previous vaginal delivery (PVD). Study Design: An obstetrics automated record system was accessed to retrospectively review records of all singleton vaginal deliveries at greater than 36 weeks' gestation (excluding breech and stillbirth) from 1995 through 2000 (n = 10,928). A number of potential risk factors for anal sphincter tear (third- and fourth-degree episiotomy extensions and lacerations) were tested with use of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The risk of anal sphincter tear was significantly increased with primiparity (relative risk [RR] 4.08) and VBAC (RR 5.46) compared with PVD, birth weight greater than 4000 g (RR 2.41), forceps delivery (RR 6.00), vacuum delivery (RR 2.18), shoulder dystocia (RR 3.28), and episiotomy (RR 2.59). Conclusion: Efforts to prevent anal sphincter tear might include reconsideration of modifiable risk factors such as episiotomy, operative vaginal delivery, and VBAC. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1194-8.)

Objective This planned secondary analysis of the Outcomes Following Vaginal Prolapse Repairs and Midurethral Sling trial assessed whether treatment knowledge differed between randomized groups at 12 months and whether treatment success was affected by treatment perception. Study Design Sham suprapubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) incisions were made in the Outcomes Following Vaginal Prolapse Repairs and Midurethral Sling trial participants randomized to no-TVT. Primary surgical outcomes and maintenance of blinding was assessed at 12 months. Knowledge of treatment assignment was compared between groups, and the relationship with treatment success rates was assessed. Results Prior to the 12 month postoperative visit, only 4% of treated participants (13 of 336) formally reported unmasking. At 12 months, 94% of the randomized participants (315 of 336) provided treatment knowledge data. Sixteen TVT participants (10%) reported treatment knowledge; most (n = 15, 94%) were correct; 17 of the sham participants (11%) reported treatment knowledge; half (n = 8, 47%) were correct. Similar proportions of unmasked participants who reported no treatment knowledge correctly guessed/perceived treatment assignment (sham, 46 [33%] vs TVT, 44 [33%]). We did not detect significant differences in treatment success rates based on perception within and across received treatment groups (perceived sham vs TVT overall [ P = .76]). Of those receiving TVT, more participants perceiving TVT had treatment success compared with those who perceived sham (84% vs 74%; P = .29). Among sham participants, more participants perceiving sham had success compared with those who perceived receiving TVT (65% vs 56%; P = .42). Conclusion Sham surgical incisions effectively mask TVT randomization. These findings may help to inform future surgical trial designs.

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the cure rate of stress urinary incontinence, long-term effects on other lower urinary tract symptoms, and quality of life in a cohort of patients who underwent pubovaginal sling procedures for treatment of incontinence related to intrinsic sphincteric deficiency and urethral hypermobility. Study Design: This was a retrospective analysis of 57 patients with 90% follow-up who underwent pubovaginal autologous fascial sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence related to urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. Objective postoperative urodynamic evaluation was performed in 34 (60%) of the cases. Telephone interviews to assess quality-of-life parameters were performed in all cases. Results: The mean follow-up period was 42 months and the median follow-up period was 34 months, with a range of 0.5 to 134 months. The age at the time of the sling procedure ranged from 18 to 84 years, with a median parity of 3.0 (range, 0-6). Preoperative body mass index ranged from 19.5 to 39.1 kg/m 2 . Five percent of patients had detrusor instability before the operation. Forty-one percent (41%) of the patients who underwent postoperative urodynamic evaluation had voiding dysfunction. The postoperative objective cure rate for stress urinary incontinence was 97%. Of all patients 88% indicated that the sling had improved the quality of life, 84% indicated that the sling relieved the incontinence in the long-term, and 82% would choose to undergo the procedure again. Conclusion: Construction of a pubovaginal sling is an effective technique for relief of severe stress urinary incontinence. Voiding dysfunction is a common side effect. Despite this problem, a significant number of patients would elect to undergo the procedure again. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:14-9.)

Objective: We sought (1) to determine whether interleukin 6 levels are increased in plasma and cervical secretions and endometrial tissue obtained from women with a clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease, (2) to determine whether interleukin 6 levels in these sample sites reflected the clinical severity of acute infection, and (3) to determine whether interleukin 6 levels in endometrial tissue obtained from these women were higher in the presence of histologic endometritis. Study Design: We performed a prospective pilot study on 20 women with a clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (patients) and then compared them with 20 women presenting to the gynecology clinic without pelvic complaints (control subjects). Interleukin 6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunologic testing in plasma, cervical secretions, and endometrial biopsy specimens. Results: Cervical interleukin 6 levels were higher in patients than control subjects (median, 317 vs 111 pg/mL; P = .003). Among women with pelvic inflammatory disease, statistically significant positive correlations were noted between the clinical severity score and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r = 0.45; P = .04), the clinical severity score and the white blood cell count ( r = 0.49; P = .03), the plasma interleukin 6 levels and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r = 0.55; P = .02), and the plasma interleukin 6 levels and the white blood cell count ( r = 0.54, P = .01). Endometrial tissue interleukin 6 levels were also higher in patients with versus those without histologic endometritis (median, 427 vs 17 pg/mL; P = .004). Conclusion: In this pilot study interleukin 6 levels in cervical secretions were significantly higher in women with pelvic inflammatory disease versus those without pelvic inflammatory disease. In women with pelvic inflammatory disease, endometrial tissue samples with histologic evidence of endometritis were observed to have higher levels of interleukin 6. Interleukin 6 may be a useful adjunct to the clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:940-4.)

Objective The objective of the study was to correlate the presence of major levator ani muscle (LAM) injuries on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with fecal incontinence (FI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and urinary incontinence (UI) in primiparous women 6-12 months postpartum. Study Design A published scoring system was used to characterize LAM injuries on MRI dichotomously (MRI negative, no/mild vs MRI positive, major). Results Major LAM injuries were observed in 17 of 89 (19.1%) women who delivered vaginally with external anal sphincter (EAS) injuries, 3 of 88 (3.5%) who delivered vaginally without EAS injury, and 0 of 29 (0%) who delivered by cesarean section before labor ( P = .0005). Among women with EAS injuries, those with major LAM injuries trended toward more FI, 35.3% vs 16.7% ( P = .10) and POP, 35.3% vs 15.5% ( P = .09), but not UI ( P = 1.0). Conclusion These data support the growing body of literature suggesting that both EAS and LAM are important for fecal continence and that multiple injuries contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Objective This study estimates the prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) in overweight and obese women with urinary incontinence and compares dietary intake in women with and without FI. Study Design A total of 336 incontinent and overweight women in the Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise clinical trial were included. FI was defined as monthly or greater loss of mucus, liquid, or solid stool. Dietary intake was quantified using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results Women had a mean (± SD) age of 53 ± 10 years, body mass index of 36 ± 6 kg/m 2 , and 19% were African American. Prevalence of FI was 16% (n = 55). In multivariable analyses, FI was independently associated with low fiber intake, higher depressive symptoms, and increased urinary tract symptoms (all P Conclusion Overweight and obese women report a high prevalence of monthly FI associated with low dietary fiber intake. Increasing dietary fiber may be a treatment for FI.

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and impact on quality-of-life (QOL) that fecal incontinence (FI) symptoms have on women seeking treatment for urge urinary incontinence (UUI). Study Design Baseline sociodemographic, history, physical examination, and validated questionnaire data were analyzed in 307 women enrolled in the Behavior Enhances Drug Reduction of Incontinence study for associations with FI. FI was defined as loss of liquid/solid stool occurring at least monthly. Multivariable logistic regression models compared women with FI and UUI with women with only UUI. Results Prevalence of monthly FI was 18%, liquid stool (12%), and solid stool (6%). In multivariable analysis, FI was associated with vaginal delivery, posterior vaginal wall prolapse, higher body mass index, and UUI symptoms. QOL was worse in women with FI/UUI than isolated UUI. Conclusion Women seeking treatment for UUI have high rates of monthly FI with a negative impact on QOL.

Objective This study was undertaken to assess whether short-term markers, often used to measure clinical cure after treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease, predict sequelae of lack of pregnancy, recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease, and chronic pelvic pain. Study Design Women with mild-to-moderate pelvic inflammatory disease were assessed after treatment initiation at 5 days for tenderness (n = 713) and at 30 days for tenderness, cervical infections and endometritis (n = 298). Pregnancy, recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease, and chronic pelvic pain were evaluated after 84 months, on average. Results Pelvic tenderness at 5 and at 30 days significantly elevated the risk for developing chronic pelvic pain; tenderness at 30 days was also significantly associated with recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease. However, pelvic tenderness at 5 and at 30 days was only modestly clinically predictive of chronic pelvic pain or recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease (positive predictive values 22.1-66.9%). No short-term marker significantly influenced the likelihood of achieving a pregnancy. Conclusion Tenderness at 5 or 30 days did not accurately predict the occurrence of pelvic inflammatory disease-related reproductive morbidities.

The objective of the study was to examine changes in bladder symptoms 1 year after abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) with vs without Burch colposuspension.Women without stress urinary incontinence (SUI) symptoms undergoing ASC were randomized to receive or not receive Burch. One year later, irritative, obstructive, and SUI symptoms were assessed in 305 women using Urogenital Distress Inventory subscales. A composite "stress endpoint" combined SUI symptoms, positive stress test, and retreatment.In all women, the mean irritative score decreased from 19.6 +/- 16.3 (mean +/- SD) to 9.1 +/- 10.6; for obstructive symptoms, from 34.8 +/- 21.0 to 6.3 +/- 10.4 (both P.001). Preoperative bothersome irritative symptoms resolved in 74.6% (126 of 169) and obstructive symptoms in 85.1% (212 of 249), independent of Burch. Fewer women with Burch had urge incontinence (14.5% vs 26.8%, P = .048) and fulfilled the stress endpoint (25.0% vs 40.1%, P = .012).ASC reduced bothersome irritative and obstructive symptoms. Prophylactic Burch reduced stress and urge incontinence.

The objective of the study was to describe sexual function before and after sacrocolpopexy.In the Colpopexy and Urinary Reduction Efforts trial, sexual function was assessed in 224 women with sexual partners before and 1 year after surgery using validated questionnaires.After surgery, significantly fewer women reported sexual interference from "pelvic or vaginal symptoms" (32.5% 1 year after surgery vs 7.8% prior to surgery); fear of incontinence (10.7% vs 3.3%); vaginal bulging (47.3% vs 4.6%); or pain (39.9% vs 21.6%). The proportion of women with infrequent sexual desire (32%) did not change. More women were sexually active 1 year after surgery (171, 76.3%) than before surgery (148, 66.1%). The 11 women (7.4%) who became sexually inactive were more likely than sexually active women to report infrequent sexual desire (70.0% vs 22.1%, P.001). The addition of Burch colposuspension did not have an impact on postoperative sexual function.After sacrocolpopexy, most women reported improvements in pelvic floor symptoms that previously interfered with sexual function. The addition of Burch colposuspension did not adversely influence sexual function.

Objective The objective of the study was to identify risk factors for internal anal sphincter (IAS) gaps on postpartum endoanal ultrasound in women with obstetric anal sphincter tear. Study Design This prospective study included 106 women from the Childbirth and Pelvic Symptoms Imaging Supplementary Study who had third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration at delivery and endoanal ultrasound 6-12 months postpartum. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact and t tests and logistic regression. Results Mean (± SD) age was 27.7 (± 6.2) years. Seventy-nine women (76%) were white and 22 (21%) black. Thirty-seven (35%) had sonographic IAS gaps. Risk factors for gaps included fourth- vs third-degree perineal laceration (odds ratio [OR] 15.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8, 50) and episiotomy (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2, 9.1). Black race (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.05, 0.96) was protective. Conclusion In women with obstetric anal sphincter repairs, fourth-degree tears and episiotomy are associated with more frequent sonographic IAS gaps.