Quality of life questionnaires for women with pelvic floor dysfunction

Abstract

Pelvic floor dysfunction has a significant impact on the quality of life of its female sufferers. These women will not only be affected by the physical manifestations of the disease, such as some degree of prolapse, but also by the psychic, sexual, occupational and social disturbances it brings about. Quality of life questionnaires provide broad information about the effect of the signs and symptoms of the condition upon the patient's daily life, permitting a more comprehensive understanding of the condition. The purpose of the present review was to describe the impact of pelvic floor dysfunction upon the quality of life of sufferers, as well as the questionnaires used to evaluate it, without mediating interventions. A search was conducted in the databases Pubmed, SciELO, Hinari, Cochrane and Clinical Key in June and July 2015. Pelvic floor dysfunction has a negative impact on the quality of life, which varies in keeping with the severity of symptoms. Women patients are faced with limitations in their physical activity, their daily life, sleep and sexuality, and tend to be anguished and depressed. Measurement of the severity of symptoms and changes in the quality of life of patients with pelvic floor dysfunction is an essential part of the evaluation for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.