Attitudes toward transvaginal mesh among patients in a urogynecology practice.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

There has been increasing media attention regarding transvaginal mesh (TVM). We hypothesized that new urogynecology patients have limited knowledge and negative opinions of TVM.

METHODS

An anonymous survey was distributed to all new patients presenting to the Mt Auburn Hospital urogynecology practice from 1 November 2012 to 31 January 2013. A total of 146 patients completed the questionnaire. The survey was designed to elicit information on participants' knowledge and opinions about TVM and knowledge about recent FDA safety communications. All statistical tests were two-sided, and P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Analyses were restricted to the 77 women who had either heard of TVM or were unsure if they had heard of TVM. A minority (32.5 %) of these women correctly defined TVM, and 33.8 % had a negative impression of TVM. Respondents obtained their information on TVM from the media (48.1 %), the Internet (24.7 %), family or friends (22.1 %), and health care providers (18.2 %). The majority (71.4 %) agreed that they needed more information about TVM before making any decisions about using it to treat their condition. Nearly one quarter of respondents (23.4 %) agreed that they would not want their doctor to use TVM on them for any reason. When asked about recent FDA communications, 27.3 % of patients correctly responded that the FDA had released a safety communication regarding TVM.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of participants had limited knowledge of TVM; however, only a minority had negative opinions. Given our findings, it is important that providers spend more time during the consent process explaining TVM and its risks and benefits as a treatment option.