Effect of anatomic urethral length on the correlation between the Q-tip test and descent at point Aa of the POP-Q system.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of anatomic urethral length on the relationship between descent at point Aa of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system and the Q-tip straining angle. The records of 323 patients who were evaluated for urinary incontinence were reviewed. Prolapse staging was performed using the POP-Q system. Urethrovesical junction hypermobility defined as a maximal straining angle > or =30 degrees was assessed with the Q-tip test. Urethral length was measured with a urethral profilometer. A substantial correlation was found between descent at point Aa and the straining Q-tip angle (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between the anatomic urethral length and straining Q-tip angle (r = -0.01, p = 0.8). Urethral length does not affect the straining Q-tip angle. Point Aa is a strong predictor of an abnormal straining Q-tip angle in women with stage I anterior vaginal wall prolapse or greater.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University, Room 6623, 85 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA. j.larrieux@bmc.org
J Robert
JR
Larrieux
Sunil
S
Balgobin
D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003950:Diagnostic Techniques, Urological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014521:Urethra / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014563:Urodynamics; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*