Psychometric properties of the pelvic organ prolapse symptom score

Hagen, S., Glazener, C., Sinclair, L., Stark, D. and Bugge, C. (2009) Psychometric properties of the pelvic organ prolapse symptom score. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 116(1), pp. 25-31. (doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01903.x) (PMID:18947342)

Abstract

Keywords: Construct validity;internal consistency;outcome measure;pelvic organ prolapse;psychometric properties;sensitivity to change Objective  To assess the internal consistency, construct validity and sensitivity to change of a pelvic organ prolapse symptom score (POP-SS). Design: Analysis of data from three prolapse studies, including symptomatic and asymptomatic women who completed the POP-SS. Setting: (1) A community setting in New Zealand, (2) two gynaecology outpatient departments in Scotland and (3) a gynaecological surgery department in Scotland. Population or sample:  (1) Participants from a survey of postnatal women at 12-year follow up, invited to complete a prolapse questionnaire and have prolapse assessment, (2) new gynaecology outpatients presenting with prolapse symptoms, randomised to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) or control and (3) women having anterior and/or posterior prolapse surgery, randomised to mesh insert or no mesh. Method:  Data were analysed to assess internal consistency, construct validity and sensitivity to change of the POP-SS. Main outcome measures:  Cronbach’s alpha, significance of differences in POP-SS scores between studies and significance of difference in POP-SS scores pre- to post-intervention. Results:  For internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.723 to 0.828. Women having surgery had higher POP-SS scores than those having conservative management (mean difference 5.0, 95% CI 3.1–6.9), who in turn had higher scores than the asymptomatic women (mean difference 5.9, 95% CI 4.4–7.4). Significant differences in POP-SS score were detected after surgery and PFMT. The improvement due to surgery was significantly greater than that associated with PFMT (z =−3.006, P = 0.003). Conclusion:  The POP-SS has good internal consistency and construct validity and is sensitive to change.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sinclair, Ms Lesley
• Authors: Hagen, S., Glazener, C., Sinclair, L., Stark, D., and Bugge, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• ISSN: 1470-0328
• ISSN (Online): 1471-0528