No abstract

Introduction Urogynaecological conditions have been shown to negatively impact on body image in a number of previous studies. ePAQ-Pelvic Floor (ePAQ-PF) is a patient reported outcome measure used in clinical practice to assess urogynaecological symptoms and their impact on quality-of-life. This study aimed to develop and undertake initial psychometric testing of a new domain to assess urogynaecological body image within ePAQ-PF. Methods A patient involvement group, analysis of free-text data from ePAQ-PF and a systematic review of available PROMs to assess urogynaecological body image informed the content of a new body image domain within ePAQ-PF. Data collected from 208 patients who consented to the use of their anonymised ePAQ-PF responses for research purposes underwent factor analysis, internal consistency reliability and item-total correlation testing. Data from previous studies were used to formulate hypotheses to test construct validity. Criterion validity was assessed against the Body-image Scale (BIS). Patients completed a separate questionnaire (QQ-11) to measure face validity of ePAQ-PF. Results Factor analysis revealed a 4-item body-image domain with good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α=0.899) and item-total correlations (Spearman's rank r >0.40). ePAQ-PF body-image domain scores correlated significantly with the BIS scores (r=0.501). Age, prolapse, sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain and urinary incontinence scores correlated significantly with body image domain score. QQ-11 value scores outweighed burden scores. Conclusions Body image assessment should form part of routine care in urogynaecology. Preliminary results support validity, reliability and functionality of ePAQ-PF incorporating the new body image domain. Further psychometric testing of this is required, including tests of responsiveness and stability.