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Colpopexy and Urinary Reduction Efforts (CARE) Protocol

CARE: A Randomized Trial of Colpopexy and Urinary Reduction Efforts

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00065845
Acronym
CARE
Enrollment
322
Registered
2003-08-05
Start date
2002-04-30
Completion date
2007-04-30
Last updated
2011-01-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Urinary Incontinence, Stress, Uterine Prolapse, Vaginal Prolapse

Keywords

Urinary incontinence, Pelvic organ prolapse, Stress incontinence, Sacrocolpopexy, Burch urethropexy, Surgical Trials

Brief summary

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles holding pelvic organs (e.g., the uterus or bladder) weaken and the organs fall or slide down into the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse can be corrected with surgery. However, women who have this surgery may develop urinary incontinence. This study will determine how doctors can predict this problem and whether an additional surgical procedure at the time of prolapse surgery can prevent the development of urinary incontinence.

Detailed description

Many women have surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (cystocele, uterine prolapse, rectocele). Women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse may experience stress urinary incontinence following surgery to repair the prolapse. Development of incontinence is unpredictable. This study will determine which, if any, clinical tests are useful for predicting post-operative urinary incontinence. The study will also determine if a Burch urethropexy should be performed routinely or selectively at the time of sacrocolpopexy in continent women. Women with pelvic organ prolapse who are scheduled for prolapse repair will be randomized to a Burch urethropexy group or to a control group. Women in the Burch group will undergo urethropexy at the time of prolapse repair. Assessments will include a quality of life telephone interview, urodynamic testing, and physical examination. Follow-up evaluations occur at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 and 2 years following surgery. Post-operative phone interviews will occur at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years.

Interventions

PROCEDUREBurch urethropexy at time of sacrocolpopexy

The Burch colposuspension procedure entails the retropubic placement of at least two stitches in the vaginal tissue lateral to each side of the urethra, and suspension of these stitches from Cooper's ligament (the iliopectineal line at the superior aspect of the posterior pubic bone).

Sponsors

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Lead SponsorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Eligibility for primary procedure (sacrocolpopexy) 2. Eligibility for secondary procedure (Burch colposuspension) 3. Stage II-IV anterior vaginal prolapse, defined as POP-Q Point Aa at -1, 0, +1, +2, or +3 cm. 4. Negative stress incontinence screen 5. Negative stress incontinence screen (MESA questionnaire)

Exclusion criteria

1. Contraindication for sacrocolpopexy or Burch colposuspension. * Anatomic contraindication for Burch colposuspension (i.e., Point Aa fixed at -2 or -3 cm). * Surgeon judgment that a contraindication to Burch colposuspension exists. 2. Anticipated geographic relocation within the first three months after surgery (e.g., within approximately 6 months of screening). 3. Inability to provide informed consent or to complete testing or data collection. 4. Currently pregnant.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Stress urinary continence3 monthsPatients will be categorized as stress continent or stress incontinent on the basis of symptom assessment and stress testing. The symptoms will be assessed by the stress incontinence subscale of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Complications at surgery2 yearsComplications at surgery
Occurrence of other lower urinary tract symptoms3 mo, 2 yearsmeasured by the urgency and obstructed voiding subscales of the PFDI
Other pelvic symptoms and health-related quality of life3 mo, 2 yearsincludes bowel function and sexual function

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 5, 2026