The Extended Operations And Pelvic Muscle Training In The Management Of Apical Support Loss Study

Surgical failure was defined as Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) point C descended more than one-third of total vaginal length; POPQ points Aa, Ba, Ap, or Bp were beyond the hymen; bothersome vaginal bulge symptoms were reported by the participant; or the participant received retreatment. The apex is point C (cervix), and posteriorly is point D (pouch of Douglas). In women after hysterectomy, point C is the vaginal cuff and point D is omitted. This outcome measure is cumulatively across the original OPTIMAL trial and continued through the E-OPTIMAL follow-up with non-failures tracked either until failure or until study completion/dropping out of the study (lost to follow-up, withdrawal, etc.)

Eligible OPTIMAL participants were to receive a video (or no video) about the importance of follow-up in clinical trials. The outcome is measured as the number of OPTIMAL participants that consented to participate in E-OPTIMAL.

Retention is defined as those participants who consented to participate in E-OPTIMAL that remained in the E-OPTIMAL study (i.e. completed follow-up visits and were not otherwise dropped from the study).

Anatomic failure was defined as POPQ system point C descended more than one-third of total vaginal length; POPQ points Aa, Ba, Ap, or Bp were beyond the hymen; or the participant received retreatment during follow-up. This outcome measure is cumulative across the original OPTIMAL trial and continued through the E-OPTIMAL follow-up with non-failures tracked either until failure or until study completion/dropping out of the study (lost to follow-up, withdrawal, etc.)

Bothersome bulge symptoms were reported by the participant in response to the questions, 'Do you usually have a sensation of bulging or protrusion from the vaginal area?' or 'Do you usually have a bulge or something falling out that you can see or feel in the vaginal area?' on the Pelvic Floor Disorders Inventory. An answer of "Yes" to either question indicates a failure while an answer to "No" for both questions indicates a non-failure.This outcome measure is cumulative across the original OPTIMAL trial and continued through the E-OPTIMAL follow-up with non-failures tracked either until failure or until study completion/dropping out of the study (lost to follow-up, withdrawal, etc.)

Retreatment is defined as any additional POP surgery or the use of pessary. This outcome measure is cumulative across the original OPTIMAL trial and continued through the E-OPTIMAL follow-up with non-retreatments tracked either until retreatment or until study completion/dropping out of the study (lost to follow-up, withdrawal, etc.)

Cumulative number of participants with granulation tissue. Granulation tissue was reported on the adverse event log.

Cumulative number of participants with suture exposure. Suture exposure was reported on the adverse event log.

Cumulative number of participants with mesh erosion or exposure. Mesh erosion and exposure was reported on the adverse event log.

Cumulative number of participants with pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse was reported on the adverse event log.

The Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) is a patient-reported measure of perceived improvement with treatment, as assessed on a scale of 1 (very much better) to 7 (very much worse).This outcome measure is shows results from the original OPTIMAL trial as well as results from the E-OPTIMAL trial (for those that consented to the extended follow-up)

The Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire measuring the impact of bladder, bowel, and vaginal symptoms on a woman's daily activities, relationships and emotions is composed of 3 scales: the Urinary Impact Questionnaire (UIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Impact Questionnaire (POPIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400), and the Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire (CRAIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400). Scores are calculated by multiplying the mean value of all answered questions for a subscale by 100 divided by 3. The subscales are then added together. The range of responses is: 0-400 with 0 (least negative impact) to 400 (most negative impact). Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score). Lower scores indicate better function / fewer symptoms.

The Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire measuring the impact of bladder, bowel, and vaginal symptoms on a woman's daily activities, relationships and emotions is composed of 3 scales: the Urinary Impact Questionnaire (UIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Impact Questionnaire (POPIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400), and the Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire (CRAIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400). Scores are calculated by multiplying the mean value of all answered questions for a subscale by 100 divided by 3. The subscales are then added together. The range of responses is: 0-400 with 0 (least negative impact) to 400 (most negative impact). Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score). Lower scores indicate better function / fewer symptoms.

The Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire measuring the impact of bladder, bowel, and vaginal symptoms on a woman's daily activities, relationships and emotions is composed of 3 scales: the Urinary Impact Questionnaire (UIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Impact Questionnaire (POPIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400), and the Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire (CRAIQ; 4 subscales, range 0-400). Scores are calculated by multiplying the mean value of all answered questions for a subscale by 100 divided by 3. The subscales are then added together. The range of responses is: 0-400 with 0 (least negative impact) to 400 (most negative impact). Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score). Lower scores indicate better function / fewer symptoms.

The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory is a validated, self-reported instrument used to evaluate pelvic floor symptoms. It consists of 3 scales: 1. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (with 3 subscales), 2. Colorectal Anal Distress Inventory (with 4 subscales), and 3. Urinary Distress Inventory (with 3 subscales). Scores are calculated by multiplying the mean value of all questions answered by 25 for the subscales and then adding the subscales. The range of responses for the CRADI is: 0-400 with 0 (least distress) to 400 (most distress). Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score). Lower scores indicate better function / fewer symptoms.

The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory is a validated, self-reported instrument used to evaluate pelvic floor symptoms. It consists of 3 scales: 1. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (with 3 subscales), 2. Colorectal Anal Distress Inventory (with 4 subscales), and 3. Urinary Distress Inventory (with 3 subscales). Scores are calculated by multiplying the mean value of all questions answered by 25 for the subscales and then adding the subscales. The range of POPDI responses is: 0-300 with 0 (least distress) to 300 (most distress). Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score). Lower scores indicate better function / fewer symptoms.

The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory is a validated, self-reported instrument used to evaluate pelvic floor symptoms. It consists of 3 scales: 1. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (with 3 subscales), 2. Colorectal Anal Distress Inventory (with 4 subscales), and 3. Urinary Distress Inventory (with 3 subscales). Scores are calculated by multiplying the mean value of all questions answered by 25 for the subscales and then adding the subscales. The range of UDI responses is: 0-300 with 0 (least distress) to 300 (most distress). Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score). Lower scores indicate better function / fewer symptoms.

The Hunskaar Urinary Incontinence assessment measures the severity of a participant's urinary incontinence. Scores range from 1 to 8 with higher score indicating more severe incontinence. Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score).

The health assessment questionnaire Short Form 36 Version (SF-36) determines participants' overall quality of life by assessing 1. limitations in physical functioning due to health problems; 2. limitations in usual role because of physical health problems; 3. bodily pain; 4. general health perceptions; 5. vitality; 6. limitations in social functioning because of physical or emotional problems; 7. limitations in usual role due to emotional problems; and 8. general mental health. Items 1-4 primarily contribute to the physical component summary score (PCS) of the SF-36. Items 5-8 primarily contribute to the mental component summary score (MCS) of the SF-36. Scores on each item are summed and averaged (range = 0 "worst" - 100 "best"). Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score).

The health assessment questionnaire Short Form 36 Version (SF-36) determines participants' overall quality of life by assessing 1. limitations in physical functioning due to health problems; 2. limitations in usual role because of physical health problems; 3. bodily pain; 4. general health perceptions; 5. vitality; 6. limitations in social functioning because of physical or emotional problems; 7. limitations in usual role due to emotional problems; and 8. general mental health. Items 1-4 primarily contribute to the physical component summary score (PCS) of the SF-36. Items 5-8 primarily contribute to the mental component summary score (MCS) of the SF-36. Scores on each item are summed and averaged (range = 0 "worst" - 100 "best"). Change = (Year [0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score).

The Brink scale considers three pelvic floor muscle contraction variables: vaginal pressure or muscle force, elevation or vertical displacement of the examiner fingers, and duration of contraction. The score ranges from 3 to 12 with higher scores indicating greater PFM function. Change = (Year [0.5, 2, 3, 4, 5] Score - Baseline Score).

POPQ Point Ba represents the most distal (i.e. most dependent) position of any part of the upper anterior vaginal wall (between the vaginal cuff or anterior vaginal fornix and Point Aa). The range for point Ba is -3 to total vaginal length (TVL). Point Ba coincides with Point Aa (-3 cm) in a woman who has no anterior POP. In a woman with severe POP, Ba coincides with Point C. For Point Ba, better vaginal support is assigned a negative value (ie, if there is no prolapse, point Ba is -3 cm by definition). Vaginal prolapse beyond the hymen, indicating worse vaginal support, is assigned a positive value (this may be equal to the total vaginal length at the maximum).

POP-Q Point Bp represents the most distal position of any part of the upper posterior vaginal wall (between the vaginal cuff or posterior vaginal fornix and Point Ap). It ranges from -3 to total vaginal length (TVL). Negative values indicate vaginal support above the hymen, so the more negative number the closer to normal/perfect support; positive values show prolapse beyond the hymen, so larger positive numbers are worse prolapse.

POP-Q Point C is measured in cm relative to the hymen with negative values being proximal to the hymen and positive values distal to the hymen. Point C represents either the most distal edge of the cervix or the leading edge of the vaginal cuff after total hysterectomy. It ranges from -TVL to +TVL. Negative values indicate vaginal support above the hymen, so the more negative number the closer to normal/perfect support; positive values show prolapse beyond the hymen, so larger positive numbers are worse prolapse.