Bowel symptoms in women planning surgery for pelvic organ prolapse

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to measure associations between bowel symptoms and prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: Baseline data were analyzed from 322 women in the Colpopexy And Urinary Reduction Efforts trial of sacrocolpopexy with or without Burch colposuspension. Women completed the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory and Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire and underwent Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification. Associations between symptoms and questionnaire scores and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification measures were assessed. RESULTS: Mean age was 61 +/- 10 years. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification stages were II (14%), III (67%), and IV (19%). Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory symptoms did not increase with prolapse stage. Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory obstructive subscale scores were higher in stage II women (median 29 [interquartile range 8,92] versus 17 [0,33] and 25 [0,38] for stages III and IV, respectively; adjusted P = .01). The few statistically significant correlations between symptoms and vaginal descent were negative and weak (less than 0.2). CONCLUSION: Bowel symptoms and questionnaire scores do not increase with prolapse stage in women presenting for sacrocolpopexy.