Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Before Versus After an Initial Urogynecology Consultation

The objective was to compare Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ) scores before versus after initial consultation with a Urogynecology physician. Secondary objectives included examining correlations between PIKQ scores, symptom severity, and satisfaction.

A prospective study of new patients, aged ≥ 18 years, referred to an academic tertiary referral center for urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, was carried out. Participants self-reported demographic information and completed the PIKQ (scores range 0-24; 2 subscales: urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse; higher scores indicate greater knowledge) before and after the visit. Questionnaires assessing symptom severity and satisfaction were also completed. Assuming a mean score of 15 ± 6 (α 0.05, β 0.20), 90 participants were required to detect a moderate effect size (0.3). Pearson correlation coefficients, p tests, and regression models were applied as appropriate.

Ninety-four participants, with a mean age 56 ± 13.5 years, were included. Primary diagnoses included overactive bladder (60 out of 94, 64%), stress urinary incontinence (57 out of 94, 61%), and pelvic organ prolapse (36 out of 94, 38%). Mean pre-visit PIKQ score was 15.8 ± 6.2, which increased post-visit (2.4 ± 5.2 points, p < 0.001). Neither pre-visit PIKQ score nor change in score correlated with treatment decision satisfaction (correlation coefficient -0.07, p = 0.52). Symptom severity did not correlate with PIKQ score change, although weak correlations between symptom severity and pre-visit scores were noted (correlation coefficients ranged from -0.22 to -0.31, p < 0.05).

The PIKQ scores increased after initial Urogynecology consultation, and changes correlated with neither symptoms nor satisfaction.