Gynecological aspects as a component of comprehensive geriatric assessment: A study of self-rated symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse among community-dwelling elderly women in Japan

Emiko Kato; Taizo Wada; Mayumi Hirosaki; Mai Tatsuno; Kiichi Hirayama; Michiko Fujisawa; Yumi Kimura; Yasuko Ishimoto; Mitsuhiro Nose; Kiyohito Okumiya; Kozo Matsubayashi; Ryota Sakamoto

doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.10.013

Gynecological aspects as a component of comprehensive geriatric assessment: A study of self-rated symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse among community-dwelling elderly women in Japan

Maturitas. 2022 Mar:157:34-39. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.10.013. Epub 2021 Oct 28.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Field Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: kato.emiko.28a@st.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
² Department of Field Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
³ Department of Field Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
⁴ Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
⁵ Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Health and Sports Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Kurashiki, Japan.

PMID: 35120670
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.10.013

Abstract

Objectives: Despite the reported 'male-female health-survival paradox', no components of the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) routinely used in the field of geriatrics focus on female-specific symptoms. To investigate the impact of gynecological factors among elderly women, we noted the gynecological history and examined the association between self-rated symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and CGA.

Study design: This community-based, cross-sectional study in Japan included 164 community-dwelling women aged ≥75 years.

Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (POPDI-6), activities of daily living (ADL), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Self-rated symptoms of POP were assessed using POPDI-6, and the participants were dichotomized into POPDI-6 >0 (symptom group) and POPDI-6 = 0 (no-symptom group). Several components of the CGA were compared between the groups with and without symptoms of POP and the association with POPDI-6 score was analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results: Compared with the no-symptom group, the symptom group had significantly longer TUG test time (≥13.5 s) (P = 0.024) and difficulty in basic ADL (score <21) (P = 0.02). In multiple logistic regression analysis, basic ADL <21 and TUG time ≥13.5 s were significantly associated with POPDI-6 >0 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-7.06 and OR = 3.45; 95% CI = 1.01-1.24).

Conclusions: Self-rated POP symptoms were associated with CGA components among community-dwelling elderly women. Evaluating POP symptoms as part of the CGA could be meaningful for improving physical and psychological health in elderly women.

Keywords: Comprehensive geriatric assessment; Male-female health-survival paradox; Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6; Pelvic organ prolapse; Timed Up and Go test.

MeSH terms

Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Independent Living*
Japan
Male
Pelvic Organ Prolapse*