Biomedical subjects

G Alessandro Digesu

Publications and source records attributed to G Alessandro Digesu.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Validation of an Italian version of the prolapse quality of life questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the italian translated version of the prolapse quality of life questionnaire (P-QOL). STUDY DESIGN: The P-QOL questionnaire was translated into Italian and administered to women recruited from a gynaecology outpatient clinic. All women completed a P-QOL questionnaire at the time of the visit, and were examined in left lateral position using the ICS prolapse score. A second P-QOL questionnaire was posted and completed by women 1 week later. The validity was assessed by measuring levels of missing data, comparing symptom scores with objective prolapse stages and between affected and asymptomatic women. The reliability was assessed by testing internal consistency and stability using 1-week test retest analysis. RESULTS: 132 symptomatic and 61 asymptomatic women were studied. The number of missing items was 2%. P-QOL domain scores were significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic women (P<0.001). Severity according to P-QOL strongly correlated with the prolapse size (P<0.01, rho>0.5). All items achieved a Cronbach alpha greater than 0.8. The test retest reliability confirmed a highly significant correlation between the total scores for each domain. CONCLUSION: The Italian version of the P-QOL questionnaire has been validated, providing a reliable, easily comprehensible and valid instrument for the symptomatic assessment of Italian-speaking women with uterovaginal prolapse.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Overactive bladder symptoms: do we need urodynamics?

AIMS: The aim of our study was to determine whether the urodynamic diagnosis is useful in the management of women with symptoms of an overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: Women with lower urinary tract symptoms, attending a tertiary referral urogynaecology clinic were studied. All women were fully evaluated, with history, urinary symptoms questionnaire, frequency-volume chart, vaginal examination, and videocystourethrography. Women with symptoms consistent with an overactive bladder (urinary frequency, urgency, and/or urge incontinence) were selected. Women with neurological disorders were excluded. Finally, urinary symptoms and urodynamic diagnosis were correlated. All terms and definitions are in accordance with the International Continence Society [Abrams et al., 1988, Scand J Urol Nephrol 114(Suppl):5-19.]. RESULTS: A total of 4,500 women 22-73 years of age were studied. Only 843 women (18.7%) could be classified as having an OAB. Of these, 457 women (54.2%) had urodynamically proven detrusor instability, whereas 386 women (45.8%) had a stable urodynamic trace. Sixty-eight (8.1%) of the women studied had postvoid residual greater than 100 mL. Of the 4,500 women studied, 1,641 (36.5%) had detrusor instability on laboratory urodynamics. Only 27.5% of these women (457 of 1,641) had OAB symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic diagnosis of OAB does not correlate with a urodynamic diagnosis of detrusor instability. The diagnosis of overactive bladder based on urinary symptoms underdiagnoses the condition of detrusor instability in a population of women suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms. Therefore, symptomatic diagnosis of OAB alone is not recommended. Our study suggested that urodynamic evaluation is mandatory in the management of the women with symptoms of an overactive bladder.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Reproducibility and reliability of pressure flow parameters in women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of pressure flow parameters in women. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral unit in a London teaching hospital. POPULATION: Urodynamic traces of 621 women were studied to assess the reproducibility and reliability of pressure flow parameters. METHODS: Women with lower urinary tract symptoms were studied prospectively. Opening detrusor pressure (ODP), detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate P(detQ(max)), maximum flow rate (Q(max)) and closure detrusor pressure (CDP) were measured by the same observer twice, one week apart. Pressure flows were compared using different media for filling (saline and contrast). All parameters were also measured in nine women from multiple voids during ambulatory urodynamics to assess their reproducibility and finally were remeasured by a second observer. RESULTS: There was good intra-observer agreement for all pressure flow parameters except detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate and good inter-observer agreement for opening detrusor pressure, closure detrusor pressure and detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate. There was no significant difference between parameters using saline or contrast (P > 0.05, independent samples t test). CONCLUSION: Pressure flow parameters appear to be reproducible and consistent urodynamic measurements in women.

Adult↗