Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40586390›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics2026

Factors contributing to long-term vaginal pessary use: A mixed-methods study.

L E Drost, L Beijleveldt, B O Ozéphius, A Franx, M C Vos

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Factors contributing to long-term vaginal pessary use: A mixed-methods study.International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

L E DrostDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5750-1485
L BeijleveldtDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Elisabeth Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
B O OzéphiusDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Elisabeth Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
A FranxDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8801-5546
M C VosDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Elisabeth Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1612-0395

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveOne of the treatment options in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is vaginal pessary therapy. For a well-informed decision, different aspects of the treatment option, including sustainable long-term outcomes, need to be discussed with the patient. However, long-term quality of life and psychological wellbeing of pessary use is unknown. This study explores the factors contributing to long-term pessary use.

methodsA mixed-methods study was performed among patients with vaginal pessary use for at least 5 years. The quantitative part consisted of online, validated questionnaires on satisfaction with care (Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form [PSQ-18]), shared decision-making (Shared Decision Making Questionnaire [SDM-Q-9]) and decisional regret (Decision Regret Scale [DRS]). Health-related quality of life and pelvic floor complaints were measured by the Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12), and the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. The qualitative part comprised semi-structured interviews according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) analyzed with grounded theory analysis.

resultsIn all, 35 patients filled in the questionnaires and seven were interviewed. Overall, patients indicated a good quality of life and satisfaction with the treatment. Three major themes were found in the interviews: effect of the treatment, contact with the healthcare provider, and choice in type of care. Four minor themes were psychosocial aspects, self-image, established habits, and sexuality.

conclusionWhen considering possible pessary use with a POP patient, these longterm effects of successful pessary treatment can be offered. The identified themes need to be addressed when applicable for the patient. Patients can be informed that long-term pessary use is feasible and can become a habit with little burden that relieves the complaints they experience.

Indexed as

Patient SatisfactionPelvic Organ ProlapsePessariesQuality of LifeAdultAgedDecision Making, SharedFemaleHumansMiddle AgedSurveys and Questionnairesmixed methodspatient experiencepelvic organ prolapsepessaryquality of life

Identifiers

PMID40586390
PMCPMC12724029

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.