This open-label randomized control trial will study the use of vaginal estrogen in the first six weeks after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair surgery. This is a pilot trial that will examine the feasibility of the study, focussing on recruitment rates. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups; (1) no vaginal estrogen for 6 weeks, (2) vaginal estrogen twice weekly for 6 weeks, or (3) vaginal estrogen daily for 6 weeks. Participants will be seen at 6 weeks post surgery, 6 months post surgery, 1 year and 2 years post surgery. Additional outcomes will include patient satisfaction, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) symptoms, post-operative complications, adherence and safety.
Multi-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, feasibility-controlled trial The intervention is the use of vaginal estrogen for 6 weeks after pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Participants will be randomized into 3 groups: 1. No vaginal estrogen 2. Vaginal estrogen 2 times per week 3. Vaginal estrogen daily Participants may be enrolled after diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse and decision to proceed with surgery. Participants will be seen for a randomization visit within 6 weeks of their scheduled surgery. The intervention lasts from the day of surgery until 6 weeks after surgery. Participants will be seen for a post-operative follow-up visit at 6 weeks, and study follow-up visits at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. Sample Size: N=60 in each group, for a total of N=180 participants. For this pilot trial, we will recruit approximately 15% of the sample size required for the full-scale trial. Data from this pilot trial will be used to adjust the event rate in the sample size calculation for the full trial, if needed. Our sample size accounts for a non-compliance rate of 5% and a loss to follow-up rate of 5%. After enrollment, participants will complete a baseline questionnaire that collects information on demographics and health history. This may be completed online via an email link sent through REDCap, in person on a hard copy questionnaire, or the questions can be administered verbally by study staff. After enrollment, a study investigator or delegate will complete a case report for that collects additional information on the participant's pregnancy and pelvic health history. At each study visit, a study investigator or delegate will complete a case report form that captures any changes in the participant's health history since the previous visit. At all post-surgical visits, a study investigator or delegate will collect information in these same case report forms on complications and treatment failure. The questions in these case report forms will be administered verbally, with verification through chart review as appropriate or as needed. At each study visit a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms assessment will be completed by a study investigator or medical learner under direct supervision of a study investigator. As well, height, weight and blood pressure will be measured. If any of these are collected/done for clinical reasons at the same visit, the clinically collected data will be used for study purposes. The measurements and assessments will not be repeated for study purposes. At each study visit the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL) and incontinence questionnaires including the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7), and the Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (UDI-6) will be administered. These may be completed online via an email link sent through REDCap, in person on a hard copy questionnaire, or the questions can be administered verbally by study staff. At the 6 week and 6 month post-surgical visit the Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ-8) will be administered. These may be completed online via an email link sent through REDCap, in person on a hard copy questionnaire, or the questions can be administered verbally by study staff. At the 6 week post-surgical visit adherence to the study intervention will be assessed through collection of study product diaries and by querying participants on vaginal estrogen usage in the intervention period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
180
Twice weekly for six weeks following pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery. 0.5 grams of cream per vagina at bedtime .
Daily for six weeks following pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery. 0.5 grams of cream per vagina at bedtime.
Health Sciences Centre
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGKingston Health Sciences Centre
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGRecruitment Rate
For the primary feasibility outcome, the trial will be considered feasible if at least 75% of the target sample can be recruited in 12 months.
Time frame: 12 months
Loss to Follow Up Rate - 6 months
Loss to follow up rates at each of the study end points measured as n/N (%).
Time frame: 6 Months post surgery
Loss to Follow Up Rate - 1 year
Loss to follow up rates at each of the study end points measured as n/N (%).
Time frame: 1 year post surgery
Loss to Follow Up Rate - 2 years
Loss to follow up rates at each of the study end points measured as n/N (%).
Time frame: 2 years post surgery
Patient Satisfaction - 6 weeks
Patient satisfaction will be assessed using the Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ-8). This questionnaire measures satisfaction with the surgical procedure on a scale from 8 (most satisfied) to 40 (least satisfied).
Time frame: 6 weeks post surgery
Patient Satisfaction - 6 months
Patient satisfaction will be assessed using the Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ-8). This questionnaire measures satisfaction with the surgical procedure on a scale from 8 (most satisfied) to 40 (least satisfied).
Time frame: 6 months post surgery
GSM Symptoms - 6 weeks
GSM symptoms will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms. It assesses 5 symptoms (dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and dysuria) on a scale from 0 - 10, from no symptoms to severe symptoms.
Time frame: 6 weeks post surgery
GSM Symptoms - 6 months
GSM symptoms will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms. It assesses 5 symptoms (dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and dysuria) on a scale from 0 - 10, from no symptoms to severe symptoms.
Time frame: 6 weeks post surgery
GSM Symptoms - 1 year
GSM symptoms will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms. It assesses 5 symptoms (dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and dysuria) on a scale from 0 - 10, from no symptoms to severe symptoms.
Time frame: 1 year post surgery
GSM Symptoms - 2 years
GSM symptoms will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms. It assesses 5 symptoms (dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and dysuria) on a scale from 0 - 10, from no symptoms to severe symptoms.
Time frame: 2 years post surgery
Prolapse Quality of Life - 6 weeks
The impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the participant's quality of life will be assessed using the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL). The P-QOL questionnaire is a self-reported tool that contains 20 questions representing nine quality of life domains: general health, prolapse impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, personal relationships, emotions, sleep/energy and severity measures. Scores in each domain range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater impairment of quality of life, and lower scores indicate a good quality of life.
Time frame: 6 weeks post surgery
Prolapse Quality of Life - 6 months
The impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the participant's quality of life will be assessed using the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL). The P-QOL questionnaire is a self-reported tool that contains 20 questions representing nine quality of life domains: general health, prolapse impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, personal relationships, emotions, sleep/energy and severity measures. Scores in each domain range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater impairment of quality of life, and lower scores indicate a good quality of life.
Time frame: 6 months post surgery
Prolapse Quality of Life - 1 year
The impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the participant's quality of life will be assessed using the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL). The P-QOL questionnaire is a self-reported tool that contains 20 questions representing nine quality of life domains: general health, prolapse impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, personal relationships, emotions, sleep/energy and severity measures. Scores in each domain range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater impairment of quality of life, and lower scores indicate a good quality of life.
Time frame: 1 year post surgery
Prolapse Quality of Life - 2 years
The impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the participant's quality of life will be assessed using the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL). The P-QOL questionnaire is a self-reported tool that contains 20 questions representing nine quality of life domains: general health, prolapse impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, personal relationships, emotions, sleep/energy and severity measures. Scores in each domain range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater impairment of quality of life, and lower scores indicate a good quality of life.
Time frame: 2 years post surgery
Complications - 6 weeks
A composite measure of the incidence of mesh erosion, urinary tract and/or surgical site infections and treatment failure.
Time frame: 6 weeks post surgery
Complications - 6 months
A composite measure of the incidence of mesh erosion, urinary tract and/or surgical site infections and treatment failure.
Time frame: 6 months post surgery
Treatment Failure - 1 year
A composite measure of the incidence of mesh erosion and treatment failure.
Time frame: 1 year post surgery
Treatment Failure - 2 years
A composite measure of the incidence of mesh erosion and treatment failure.
Time frame: 2 years post surgery
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