title: Point Aa of the POP-Q system as a predictive value of urethral mobility in women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the point Aa of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system and the Q-tip straining angle and to determine if Q-tip testing is required to assess urethral mobility.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 250 women presenting with urinary incontinence were prospectively examined. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the degree of correlation between the POP-Q point Aa position and Q-tip values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urethral hypermobility was noted in 61% of stage I, 89% of stage II, and 100% of stages III and IV. A substantial negative correlation was found between the point Aa position and the straining Q-tip angle (r=0.683, p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial correlation was found between descent at point Aa and the straining Q-tip angle. The point Aa of the POP-Q system is highly predictive of the abnormal straining urethral angle in women with stage I or greater anterior vaginal wall prolapse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea. seinsena@hanmail.net
authors.forename: Sun-Ouck
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ho Suck
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Eu Chang
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Kyung Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Dongdeuk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D058869:Gynecological Examination / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology