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International Urogynecology Journal

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01-01-2019 | Original Article

The minimal important difference of the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire

Authors: Kaven Baessler, Alexandra Mowat, Christopher F. Maher

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of this study was to establish the minimal important difference (MID) of the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ) in women undergoing surgery for stress urinary incontinence or symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse. A further aim was to estimate dysfunction scores dependent on the bothersomeness in a community cohort.

Methods

The APFQ was completed before and 6 weeks after pelvic floor surgery by 183 women (n = 80 suburethral tape insertion; n = 103 laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy). Distribution and anchor-based methods were used to establish the effect size, standardised response mean and MID (calculated as the difference between women who stated no change or a little better in the Patient Global Impression of Improvement [PGI-I]).

In a community cohort of 470 women aged 42–80 years, the APFQ was analysed according to disclosed bothersomeness.

Results

For the suburethral tape group, the effect size in the bladder domain was 1.5 and the PGI-I-based MID 1.3. For the POP surgery, group the effect size in the prolapse domain was calculated at 2.2 and the PGI-I-based MID at 1.0. The domain scores for women who declared no bother were significantly different from those who were a little bothered (bladder domain 2.2 vs 4.0, bowel 0.6 vs 1.7, POP 0.1 vs 3.2, sex 1.8 vs 3.0) with wide variations.

Conclusions

The MID of the APFQ ranged from 1.0 to 1.3 in the domains after POP or continence surgery respectively. This is corroborated by the differences in domain scores from community-based women who were bothered versus not bothered by pelvic floor symptoms.

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Title: The minimal important difference of the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire
Authors: Kaven Baessler
Alexandra Mowat
Christopher F. Maher
Publication date: 01-01-2019
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3724-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The minimal important difference of the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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