Aim

The primary aim is to explore the relationship between symptom severity and prolapse bother in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The secondary aim is to determine the association between psychological variables and prolapse bother.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted via online surveys assessing POP bother (visual analog scale for bother), POP symptom severity (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms), and psychological measures of depression and anxiety (Kessler psychological distress scale [K-10]), catastrophizing (modified pain catastrophizing scale [mPCS]), and self-efficacy (modified pain self-efficacy questionnaire [mPSEQ]) in women with self-reported POP. Symptom severity, bother and psychological variables were analyzed using linear regression.

Results

Seventy-six women with a mean (SD) age of 42.8 (14.57) years were included in analysis. A moderate to strong positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.449, p < 0.001) was found between symptom severity and POP bother. Prolapse bother and psychological variables were moderately correlated, where increased K-10 scores (R2 = 0.230, p = 0.001), higher mPCS scores (R2 = 0.460, p < 0.001), and lower mPSEQ scores (R2 = 0.460, p < 0.001) were associated with increased POP bother. Moderate and severe catastrophizing was associated with significantly higher POP bother, with mean POP bother scores of 7.861 ± 0.45 (p < 0.001) and 8.652 ± 0.45 (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

A moderate positive relationship between POP bother and symptom severity was found, with greater psychological distress and lower self-efficacy associated with increasing POP bother. Women presenting with POP should be screened for psychological factors to guide management.