Table 3.
Studies on effect of pessary treatment on health related quality of life
| Author year [reference] | Number | Study design | Dropout, n (%) | Dropout reasons | Follow-up in months | Questionnaires used | Improved symptoms with pessary treatment | Worsened symptoms | Satisfaction rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemons 2004 [25] | 100 | Prospective study | 27 (27) | Failure to retain pessary, Discomfort | 2 months | Questionnaire not further assessed | Bulge, Pressure, Discharge, Voiding, Urge incontinence, Stress incontinence | De novo stress urinary incontinence | 92% |
| Bai 2005 [20] | 104 | Retrospective study | 20 (19) | Failure to retain pessary, Discomfort, Inflammation | Unknown | Questionnaire not further assessed | Not measured | Bleeding, foul odour, Erosion | 70% |
| Fernando 2006 [27] | 203 | Prospective observational cohort study | 106 (52) | Failure to retain pessary, Pain/bleeding/discomfort, Worsening symptoms | 4 months | SPQ | Bulge, Pressure, Voiding, Urinary urgency, Sexual activity | ||
| Barber 2006 [21] | 42 | Prospective cross-over study | 0 | 3 months | PFDI, PFIQ | Bulge, Urinary | |||
| Cundiff 2007 [6] | 134 | Randomised crossover study | 49 (37) | Failure to retain pessary, Quit study due to failure of pessary | 3 months ring, 3 months Gellhorn | PFIQ, PFDI | Bulge, Urinary, Life impact urinary symptoms, Life impact pelvic organ prolapse | ||
| Komesu 2007 [34] | 64 | Prospective observational cohort study | 28 (44) | Failure to retain pessary, Discomfort | 12 months | PFDI | Bulge, Pressure, Voiding, Urge incontinence, Stress incontinence | ||
| Jones 2008 [32] | 90 | Prospective Observational Cohort study | 48 (53) | Failure to retain pessary, Inadequate relief of symptoms | 3 months | PFDI | Bulge, Urinary | ||
| Kuhn 2009 [35] | 73 | Prospective observational cohort study | 40 (55) | Loss of pessary during daily activities or bowel emptying, Pain/discomfort, Desire for surgery, Worsening symptoms, Inability to remove insert/remove pessary | 3 months | SPQ, FSFI, KHQ | General health, Role limitations, Physical and social limitations, Incontinence impact, Personal relationships, Sexual desire, Lubrification, Sexual satisfaction, Bulge, Stool outlet problems | De novo stress urinary incontinence | |
| Patel 2010 [41] | 75 | Prospective observational cohort study | 21(28) | Failure to retain pessary, Desire for surgery, Discomfort | 3 months | PFDI, PFIQ, BIS | Body image, Quality of life, Bulge | ||
| Abdool 2010 [19] | 359 | Prospective study | 116 (32) | Opted for surgery | 12 months | SPQ | Bulge, Pessary-related problems, Pressure, Urinary, Sexual function, Stool outlet problems | ||
Questionnaires used were Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Sheffield Prolapse Questionnaire (SPQ), King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ), Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ), and body image scale (BIS). Questionnaire not further assessed