Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Disorders and Quality of Life Measures in Postoperative Patients With Endometrial Cancer

Background

The primary goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms in postoperative patients with endometrial cancer. The secondary goal was to assess the impact of these issues on patient quality of life.

Methods

This cross-sectional study looked at women (N = 25) returning for postoperative care at least 6 months after total abdominal hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Severity of pelvic floor symptoms was assessed using the short-form version of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). The impact of these symptoms on quality of life was assessed using the short-form version of the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7). Demographic data and PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results

Pelvic symptoms were reported at a much higher rate than seen in the general public. Symptom prevalence was reported by 21/25 (84%) patients on the PFDI-20 questionnaire, with a mean score of 52.5 ± 64.8. Patients reported prevalence of symptoms in the following order: urinary symptoms (19/25 [76%]) > colorectal-anal symptoms (17/25 [68%]) > pelvic organ prolapse symptoms (11/25 [44%]). Slightly fewer than half (11/24) of the study participants reported quality of life issues associated with their pelvic symptoms, with a mean score in the mild range: 26.4 ± 64.5. The reported prevalence of the effect of pelvic symptoms on quality of life was urinary (10/25 [40%]) > colorectal-anal (8/24 [33%]) > pelvic organ prolapse (4/24 [17%]).

Conclusion

This study has shown that there was a high prevalence of symptoms of PFDs in our population after abdominal hysterectomy for endometrial cancer.