Pessary use for Prolapse

A multicentre randomised controlled trial, with process evaluation, to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of self-management of vaginal pessaries to treat pelvic organ prolapse,compared to standard care to improve women's quality of life. TOPSY trial:Treatment Of Prolapse with Self-care pessarY

Addressing priority 3: NIHR research in progress Read more news about this study

Researchers funded by the NIHR will explore the clinical and cost effectiveness of an innovative self-management programme designed to help improve the lives of women with pelvic organ prolapse.

The study – led by the University of Stirling involving Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and Manchester University NHS Trust – will enable academics to assess the long-term outcomes of women who followed a new self-care programme and compare them with those who received standard treatment. Involving more than 300 women, it will also consider how pessaries affect sexual activity and psychological wellbeing, and consider the risks and complications of pessary use for prolapse.

Dr Carol Bugge, of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at Stirling, is leading the study – a two-year extension of the existing £1.2 million Treatment of Prolapse with Self-care Pessary (TOPSY) trial.

Dr Bugge said: “Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition that adversely impacts the quality of life of women, however, research on pessary care is limited. This extension to our study will consider how self-management of the condition affects clinical outcomes and quality of life over the long term, compared to those who follow the standard treatment pathway. We will also consider the cost-effectiveness of self-management over the standard approach.

“Importantly, the research will provide evidence to address one of the top 10 uncertainties for pessary care as identified by the James Lind Alliance, a partnership which brings together clinicians, patients, and carers to agree research priorities on healthcare treatment.”