Aaron K Budden1,2, Nèvine I D Te West1,2, Allan D Sturgess1,3, Kate H Moore4,5,6. 1. University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 2. Pelvic Floor Unit, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia. 3. Department of Rheumatology, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia. 4. University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. k.moore@unsw.edu.au. 5. Pelvic Floor Unit, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia. k.moore@unsw.edu.au. 6. Department of Urogynaecology, School of Women's and Children's Health, St George Hospital, Level 1, WR Pitney Clinical Sciences Building, Short Street, Kogarah, NSW, 2217, Australia. k.moore@unsw.edu.au.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The classic triad of dry eyes, mouth and vagina is known to most gynaecologists as pathognomonic of Sjögren's syndrome, but rheumatologists seldom consider vaginal symptoms. Our hypothesis was that women with Sjögren's syndrome would have an increased likelihood of postoperative voiding dysfunction, severe vaginal stenosis or poor response to anticholinergics compared with the general urogynaecology patient. METHODS: All patients with Sjögren's syndrome were prospectively recorded from July 2007 to June 2015. Presenting complaint, pelvic examination findings, previous/subsequent pelvic surgery, voiding dysfunction and response to anticholinergics were noted. The denominator, all new urogynaecology patients, was prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were identified over 8 years (0.5 % of 2794 new presentations). Of the seven patients who had previously undergone surgery elsewhere, all had demonstrable pelvic tissue fibrosis; five had such severe fibrosis that no speculum could be passed. Anticholinergic medications were completely intolerable in 10/11 (91 %) women, and severe postoperative voiding dysfunction occurred in 6/9 (67 %) women. Only 2/15 (13 %) women were unaffected by fibrosis, postoperative voiding dysfunction or intolerance to anticholinergics. CONCLUSIONS: This audit demonstrates a substantial risk of vaginal stenosis, postoperative voiding dysfunction or severe intolerance to anticholinergics in women with Sjögren's syndrome.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The classic triad of dry eyes, mouth and vagina is known to most gynaecologists as pathognomonic of Sjögren's syndrome, but rheumatologists seldom consider vaginal symptoms. Our hypothesis was that women with Sjögren's syndrome would have an increased likelihood of postoperative voiding dysfunction, severe vaginal stenosis or poor response to anticholinergics compared with the general urogynaecology patient. METHODS: All patients with Sjögren's syndrome were prospectively recorded from July 2007 to June 2015. Presenting complaint, pelvic examination findings, previous/subsequent pelvic surgery, voiding dysfunction and response to anticholinergics were noted. The denominator, all new urogynaecology patients, was prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were identified over 8 years (0.5 % of 2794 new presentations). Of the seven patients who had previously undergone surgery elsewhere, all had demonstrable pelvic tissue fibrosis; five had such severe fibrosis that no speculum could be passed. Anticholinergic medications were completely intolerable in 10/11 (91 %) women, and severe postoperative voiding dysfunction occurred in 6/9 (67 %) women. Only 2/15 (13 %) women were unaffected by fibrosis, postoperative voiding dysfunction or intolerance to anticholinergics. CONCLUSIONS: This audit demonstrates a substantial risk of vaginal stenosis, postoperative voiding dysfunction or severe intolerance to anticholinergics in women with Sjögren's syndrome.
Authors: C Vitali; S Bombardieri; R Jonsson; H M Moutsopoulos; E L Alexander; S E Carsons; T E Daniels; P C Fox; R I Fox; S S Kassan; S R Pillemer; N Talal; M H Weisman Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2002-06 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: L Kovács; I Marczinovits; A György; G K Tóth; L Dorgai; J Pál; J Molnár; G Pokorny Journal: Rheumatology (Oxford) Date: 2005-05-11 Impact factor: 7.580
Authors: C R Chapple; R Martinez-Garcia; L Selvaggi; P Toozs-Hobson; W Warnack; T Drogendijk; D M Wright; J Bolodeoku Journal: Eur Urol Date: 2005-09 Impact factor: 20.096
Authors: H Tsuboi; I Matsumoto; E Wakamatsu; Y Nakamura; M Iizuka; T Hayashi; D Goto; S Ito; T Sumida Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2010-08-20 Impact factor: 4.330