Women’s experiences of receiving care for pelvic organ prolapse: a qualitative study

Background Pelvic organ prolapse is a common urogenital condition affecting 41–50% of women over the age of 40. To achieve early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it is important that care is sensitive to and meets women’s needs, throughout their patient journey. This study explored women’s experiences of seeking diagnosis and treatment for prolapse and their needs and priorities for improving person-centred care. Methods Twenty-two women receiving prolapse care through urogynaecology services across three purposefully selected NHS UK sites took part in three focus groups and four telephone interviews. A topic guide facilitated discussions about women’s experiences of prolapse, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, interactions with healthcare professionals, overall service delivery, and ideals for future services to meet their needs. Data were analysed thematically. Results Three themes emerged relating to women’s experiences of a) Evaluating what is normal b) Hobson’s choice of treatment decisions, and c) The trial and error of treatment and technique. Women often delayed seeking help for their symptoms due to lack of awareness, embarrassment and stigma. When presented to GPs, their symptoms were often dismissed and unaddressed until they became more severe. Women reported receiving little or no choice in treatment decisions. Choices were often influenced by health professionals’ preferences which were subtly reflected through the framing of the offer. Women’s embodied knowledge of their condition and treatment was largely unheeded, resulting in decisions that were inconsistent with women’s preferences and needs. Physiotherapy based interventions were reported as helping women regain control over their symptoms and life. A need for greater awareness of prolapse and physiotherapy interventions among women, GPs and consultants was identified alongside greater focus on prevention, early diagnosis and regular follow-up. Greater choice and involvement in treatment decision making was desired. Conclusions As prolapse treatment options expand to include more conservative choices, greater awareness and education is needed among women and professionals about these as a first line treatment and preventive measure, alongside a multi-professional team approach to treatment decision making. Women presenting with prolapse symptoms need to be listened to by the health care team, offered better information about treatment choices, and supported to make a decision that is right for them

Cytokine mediated liberation of soluble Fractalkine (sCX3CL1) in Human Astrocytes is dependent on ADAM10 and p38/NF-κB signalling.

The fractalkine ligand (CX3CL1) is expressed in astrocytes and reported to be neuro-protective. When cleaved from the membrane, soluble fractalkine (sCX3CL1) activates the receptor CX3CR1, which is expressed in neurons and microglia. The membrane bound form of CX3CR1 additionally acts as an adhesion molecule for microglia and infiltrating white blood cells. Here, the mechanisms involved in the up-regulation and cleavage of CX3CL1 from human astrocytes was investigated. A combination of ADAM17 (TACE) and ADAM10 protease inhibitors were found to attenuate IL-1β, TNFα and IFNγ induced sCX3CL1 levels in astrocytes. A specific ADAM10 (but not ADAM17) inhibitor also attenuated these effects, suggesting ADAM10 proteases induce release of sCX3CL1 from stimulated human astrocytes. A p38 MAPK inhibitor also attenuated the levels of sCX3CL1 upon treatment with IL-1β, TNFα or IFNγ. In addition, IKKα and IKKβ inhibitors significantly reduced the levels of sCX3CL1 induced by IL-1β or TNFα in a concentration dependent manner, suggesting a role for the NF-κB pathway. These findings are important for understanding the role of CX3CL1 in healthy and stimulated astrocytes and may benefit our understanding of this pathway in neuro-inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases