Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41099417›Full record

ArticleWomen's health (London, England)

Research priorities in vulvodynia: A modified Delphi study.

Athina Zoi Lountzi, Purva Abhyankar, Hannah Durand

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Women's health (London, England). The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

3 authors.

Athina Zoi LountziDivision of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-0779-6588
Purva AbhyankarDivision of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK.
Hannah DurandDivision of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-8761-0519

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVulvodynia is a chronic, unexplained pain in and around the vulva, likely involving an interplay of biological and psychosocial factors. Women with vulvodynia often experience delayed diagnoses, ineffective treatments, and significant quality of life impacts, compounded by social stigma and negative healthcare experiences. Despite its prevalence, our understanding of vulvodynia and its impacts remains limited.

objectivesTo establish research priorities that address critical knowledge deficits and improve outcomes for individuals affected by vulvodynia.

designA mixed-methods participatory study using a modified electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) approach combined with focus groups.

methodsA three-phase modified e-Delphi process was combined with focus groups to gather insights from patients, clinicians, and researchers with expertise in vulvodynia. In Phase 1, participants generated research topics through surveys and focus group discussions. In Phase 2, these topics were rated and ranked by participants to generate a preliminary "top 10" list of priorities. In Phase 3, participants re-rated and re-ranked the preliminary list to achieve consensus on the final research priorities.

resultsThe top three priorities identified were: (1) Creating a person-centred care pathway and increasing awareness, education, and training of clinicians on vulvodynia, (2) Development of multidisciplinary pain teams, and (3) Creating accessible information for patients on treatment options and self-care advice.

conclusionThis study highlights the importance of integrating the perspectives of those with lived experience, healthcare professionals, and researchers to identify research priorities with the greatest potential for impact. Findings provide a roadmap for future vulvodynia research, support efficient resource allocation, and inform policy development. Furthermore, these results provide a foundation for grassroots initiatives to improve awareness, education, and care for individuals affected by vulvodynia.

Indexed as

ResearchVulvodyniaAdultDelphi TechniqueFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMiddle AgedQuality of LifeSurveys and Questionnairesexpert engagementresearch prioritisationvulvodynia

Identifiers

PMID41099417
PMCPMC12536094

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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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.