To study the psychosocial and sexual impact of Genito-urinary and Recto-vaginal Fistula in women in India

It is a  ambispective study to study the psychosocial and sexual impact of Genito-urinary and recto-vaginal fistula in women in India. Women with fistula experience constant leakage of urine and/or feces and it affects a woman’s physical, economic, psychological, sexual and social life. Quality of life of patients living with Genito-urinary fistula/ Rectovaginal fistula is deeply affected. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. This study aims to assess the psycho-social and sexual impact of Genito-urinary and/or recto-vaginal fistulas in women.The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact on psychological health and social relationships and sexual health in women with Genito-Urinary fistula and recto-vaginal fistula. The secondary objective of this study is to assess physical health, to assess the risk factors associated with Genito-Urinary and recto-vaginal fistula, to assess intra-operative complications of various fistula surgeries and to assess short term and long-term complications of various fistula surgeries.

METHODOLOGY-If you decide to participate in this study, and you had surgery for Genito-urinary fistula/ rectovaginal fistula at AIIMS, New Delhi, your surgical records will be retrieved and intraoperative and immediate post operative complications will be noted down from your case sheet. Your current symptoms pertaining to fistula or urinary/ bowel complaints, sexual dysfunction, chronic pain, discharge etc. will be asked in details and pelvic examination will be done .You will be asked to fill the SF-36 and FSFI questionnaire. If you have Genito-urinary/ rectovaginal fistula and are about to undergo some surgical procedure for correction of the same, your detailed history will be taken and pelvic examination will be done. SF-36 and FSFI questionnaire will be filled pre-operatively. During surgery, any intraoperative complications will be noted. Similarly, immediate postoperative complications will be noted. You will be asked to visit once at  6 weeks and then at 6 months. In both the visits, you’ll be asked for your complaints and symptoms and physical examination will be done. SF-36 and FSFI questionnaire will be filled at 6 weeks and 6 months.

The primary outcomes are Psychosocial health assessed by SF-36 questionnaire and Sexual health assessed by FSFI -6 questionnaire. The secondary outcomes are Operating time, Intra-operative complications, Total hospital stay and Short-term and long-term complications