Assessing the experience of dyspareunia in the endometriosis population: the Subjective Impact of Dyspareunia Inventory (SIDI).

STUDY QUESTION: Is the Subjective Impact of Dyspareunia Inventory (SIDI) a reliable tool to examine the experience of dyspareunia in the context of endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER: In this study, the SIDI showed good structural and psychometric properties, and thus can be used as a reliable questionnaire to assess the impact of endometriosis-related dyspareunia on multiple dimensions, such as sexuality and intimate relationships. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: In the endometriosis population, dyspareunia has a tremendous negative impact on psychological health, overall sexual function and couple relationships. However, there is a paucity of tools that can be effectively used in either research or clinical practice to assess the subjective components of the dyspareunia experience, including coping strategies to deal with the pain. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: In this cross-sectional study, the validity of the SIDI was examined by considering the responses provided by 638 participants with endometriosis and dyspareunia, who participated in an online survey conducted between 8 November and 21 December 2021. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling that involved posting the invitation to participate in the study on the social media of a patient association. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants were women aged ≥18 with clinical or surgical diagnosis of endometriosis. The SIDI measures the subjective impact of dyspareunia and is composed of 16 items focused on the frequency of dyspareunia-related experiences in the last 6 months, rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Sexuality was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index. Psychological health was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Sociodemographic and endometriosis-related information was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Factor analysis revealed that the SIDI has a four-factor structure and allows for examining the impact of dyspareunia in terms of Sexual Concerns (Factor 1), Relationship Concerns (Factor 2), Partner Support (Factor 3) and Endurance of Pain (Factor 4). The SIDI showed good structural and psychometric properties (including internal consistency), was associated with sexual function and psychological health and was able to discriminate between participants with and without sexual dysfunction. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Reasons for caution are related to the risk of self-selection bias depending on the study population and recruitment strategy. Moreover, all the information provided by the participants was self-reported, which may have affected the accuracy of the data collected, especially with regards to endometriosis-specific information. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study may provide a new brief tool that can be used by clinicians and researchers to assess the impact of dyspareunia from a multidimensional perspective and to consider subjective aspects that can be usefully integrated with information about pain severity, timing and localization. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): There was no funding for this study. A.F. is the President of APE-Odv (Associazione Progetto Endometriosi-Organizzazione di volontariato (Endometriosis Project Association-Volunteer Organization)), the largest nonprofit endometriosis patient association in Italy. The other authors have no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

[Plain radiographic examination and abdominal echography in intestinal occlusion syndrome. Preliminary note]. / L'esame radiografico diretto e l'ecografia dell'addome nella sindrome di occlusione intestinale. Nota preliminare.

Plain film of the abdomen is widely used in the diagnostic evaluation of intestinal occlusion. Even though this technique can yield a panoramic and high-resolution view of gas-filled intestinal loops, several factors, such as type and duration of occlusion, neurovascular status of the intestine and general patient condition, may reduce the diagnostic specificity of the plain film relative to the organic or functional nature of the occlusion. From 1987 to 1989, fifty-four patients with intestinal occlusion were studied combining plain abdominal film with abdominal ultrasound (US). This was done in order to evaluate whether the additional information obtained from US could be of value in better determining the nature of the ileus. US evaluation was guided by the information already obtained from plain film which better demonstrates gas-filled loops. The results show that in all 27 cases of dynamic ileus (intestinal ischemia, acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, acute pancreatitis or blunt abdominal trauma) US demonstrates: intestinal loops slightly increased in caliber, with liquid content, or loops containing rare hyperechoic particles, intestinal wall thickening and no peristalsis. In 27 cases of acute, chronic or complicated mechanical ileus (adhesions, internal hernia, intestinal neoplasm, peritoneal seedings) US shows: 1) in acute occlusion: hyperperistaltic intestinal loops containing inhomogeneous liquid; 2) in chronic occlusion: liquid content with a solid echogenic component; 3) in complicated occlusion: liquid stasis, frequent increase in wall thickness, moderate peritoneal effusion and inefficient peristalsis. In conclusion, based on the obtained data, the authors feel that the combination of plain abdominal film and abdominal US can be useful in the work-up of patient with intestinal occlusion. The information provided by US allows a better definition of the nature of the ileus.