Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38751074›Full record

ArticleActa obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica2024

The "most bothersome symptom" construct: A qualitative study of Australians living with endometriosis.

Alice M Mitchell, Danushi Rajapakse, Michelle Peate, K Jane Chalmers, Steven J Kamper, Helena Frawley, Claudia Cheng, Martin Healey, Sarah Lensen

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In one paragraph

Article in Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Alice M MitchellDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-7414-5542
Danushi RajapakseDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID 0009-0002-4096-822X
Michelle PeateDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-2903-4688
K Jane ChalmersIIMPACT in Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-6991-559X
Steven J KamperSchool of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-3012-5499
Helena FrawleySchool of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-7126-6979
Claudia ChengDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6901-9135
Martin HealeyDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-2832-4747
Sarah LensenDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-1694-1142

Funding

Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introduction"Improvement in the most bothersome symptom" was recently selected as a core outcome for endometriosis intervention trials. This study aimed to explore the applicability of the construct of "symptom bother" in representing the lived experiences of people with endometriosis. MATERIAL AND

methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the meaning of "symptom bother" and related constructs. Eighteen interviews were conducted: 14 among people with a surgical diagnosis of endometriosis who were recruited from the community, and four with people who were recruited from a private gynecology clinic who had either a confirmed diagnosis or a high suspicion of the disease. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically.

resultsThree primary themes were identified: (1) endometriosis symptoms and priorities vary with time and context, (2) endometriosis symptoms impair normal daily functioning, (3) endometriosis symptoms are more than just a "bother." The concept of "bother" to describe endometriosis symptoms did not resonate with most participants. Whilst "bother" was familiar language, it did not encompass the broader implications of living with endometriosis. Participants felt "bother" implied emotional distress, lacking a full understanding of the consequences of the disease. Instead, "symptom impact" was endorsed, allowing participants to quantify and objectively assess their symptoms, free from negative connotations.

conclusionsThis was the first qualitative study to explore "symptom bother" among people living with endometriosis. Instead of "bother," "impact" was widely endorsed as a suitable construct. This term more appropriately captured the broad ways in which endometriosis symptoms impair daily functioning.

Indexed as

EndometriosisQuality of LifeAdultAustralasian PeopleAustraliaFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchYoung Adultbotherendometriosisimpactqualitative researchsymptoms

Identifiers

PMID38751074
PMCPMC11266636

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.