Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse POP Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Validated Questionnaires for the Assessment of Italian Patients with Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions: A Systematic Review
Andrea Braga1,2, Annalisa Vigna3, Marta Barba4
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, EOC - Beata Vergine Hospital, Mendrisio, Switzerland.
Introduction:
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a pathological condition that significantly impacts women's health. It is therefore necessary to correctly diagnose it and offer the most appropriate treatment for her. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have been established, which include questionnaires measuring quality of life (QoL) and symptoms. Although several English-language questionnaires are available to assess PFDs and QoL concerns, relatively few have been validated for use in Italian. With a focus on validated PROs in Italian for assessing PFDs, this article aimed to provide a systematic overview of the literature with useful information on references and advice on how to access each unique questionnaire.
Methods:
Up until March 1, 2024, a systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The PubMed/MEDLINE databases and websites were utilized to locate validated Italian-language PFD surveys. The text provides instructions on how to receive a copy of the questionnaire if it has been identified and confirmed to be possible.
Results:
Thirty-five Italian-validated questionnaires were included: 17 out of 35 (48.6%) questionnaires focused on lower urinary tract symptoms, 1 (2.8%) on genital prolapse symptoms, 8 (22.8%) on sexuality, 3 (8.6%) on bowel symptoms, and 6 (17.2%) on pelvic dysfunctions. The literature search turned up seven more. Italian PRO validation documents compared to the last analysis. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12), the Sexual Desire and Erotic Fantasies (SDEF) Questionnaire, the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES), the 12-Item Sexual Distress Scale (SDS) and 5-Item Sexual Distress Scale-Short Form (SDS-SF), the questionnaires from Vaizey and Wexner and the fecal incontinence severity index (FISI), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), and the Intermittent Catheterization Acceptance Test (I-CAT) are among the specifically newly validated PROs.
Conclusions:
In order to encourage the use of suitable PROs while examining PFDs in Italian patients, this systematic review is meant to be a useful tool.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:18Assessment of the Abdomen II: Percussion
Percussion
Percussion is an essential...
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are: