A core outcome set for genitourinary symptoms associated with menopause: the COMMA (Core Outcomes in Menopause) global initiative.

Lensen, Sarah; Bell, Robin J; Carpenter, Janet S; Christmas, Monica; Davis, Susan R; Giblin, Karen; Goldstein, Steven R; Hillard, Tim; Hunter, Myra S; Iliodromiti, Stamatina; Jaisamrarn, Unnop; Khandelwal, Sunila; Kiesel, Ludwig; Kim, Bobae V; Lumsden, Mary Ann; Maki, Pauline M; Mitchell, Caroline M; Nappi, Rossella E; Niederberger, Craig; Panay, Nick; ... (2021). A core outcome set for genitourinary symptoms associated with menopause: the COMMA (Core Outcomes in Menopause) global initiative. Menopause, 28(8), pp. 859-866. The North American menopause Society 10.1097/GME.0000000000001788

Text 33973541_A_core_outcome_set_for_genitourinary_symptoms.5.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (318kB) | Request a copy

OBJECTIVE

Genitourinary symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and pain with sex, are commonly experienced by postmenopausal women. Comparing treatments for these genitourinary symptoms are restricted by the use of different outcome measures in clinical trials and the omission of outcomes, which may be relevant to women. The aim of this project was to develop a Core Outcome Set (COS) to be reported in clinical trials of treatments for genitourinary symptoms associated with menopause.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of treatments for genitourinary symptoms associated with menopause and extracted their outcomes. This list was refined and entered into a two-round modified Delphi survey, which was open to clinicians, researchers, and postmenopausal women from November 2019 to March 2020. Outcomes were scored on a nine-point scale from "not important" to "critically important." The final COS was determined following two international consensus meetings.

RESULTS

A total of 26 unique outcomes were included in the Delphi process, which was completed by 227 participants of whom 58% were postmenopausal women, 34% clinicians, and 8% researchers. Predefined thresholds were applied to the Delphi scores to categorize outcomes by importance, which informed the e consensus meetings, attended by 43 participants from 21 countries. The final COS includes eight outcomes: (1) pain with sex, (2) vulvovaginal dryness, (3) vulvovaginal discomfort or irritation, (4) discomfort or pain when urinating, (5) change in most bothersome symptom, (6) distress, bother or interference of genitourinary symptoms, (7) satisfaction with treatment, (8) side effects of treatment.

CONCLUSION

These eight core outcomes reflect the joint priorities of postmenopausal women, clinicians, and researchers internationally. Standardized collection and reporting of these outcomes in clinical trials will facilitate the comparison of different treatments for genitourinary symptoms, advance clinical practice, and ultimately improve outcomes for symptomatic women.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

2 since deposited on 02 Feb 2022
0 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item