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Women's attitudes to urodynamics: a questionnaire survey
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. George's Hospital, Tooting, London, UK.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|August 24, 1999
Summary
Urodynamic investigations are generally well tolerated by women, but a significant minority experience anxiety, embarrassment, and pain. Adequate information about the test can reduce distress during urodynamic investigations.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Gynecology
- Patient Experience
Background:
- Urodynamic investigations are crucial for diagnosing lower urinary tract dysfunction.
- Understanding patient tolerance and perception is vital for improving healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess women's tolerance of urodynamic investigations.
- To evaluate patient-reported explanations of the procedure.
Main Methods:
- Prospective questionnaire survey conducted in a tertiary referral center.
- 324 women undergoing urodynamic investigations participated, with a 91.7% response rate.
Main Results:
- Most women tolerated urodynamic investigations well; 45% found it less unpleasant than expected.
- 42% experienced moderate to severe anxiety, 40% felt embarrassed, and 27% reported pain during the procedure.
- Older women and those from specialist urogynaecology clinics reported less distress. Adequate information reduced patient distress.
Conclusions:
- Urodynamic investigations are generally well-tolerated, but a notable percentage of women experience significant distress.
- Addressing patient anxiety, embarrassment, and pain is essential.
- Improving pre-procedure information may enhance patient tolerance and reduce distress.