Prevalence of hydronephrosis in patients with genital prolapse

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hydronephrosis in patients with genital prolapse and evaluate contributing factors. Methods: Retrospective study of the records of 189 patients with pelvic organ prolapse who underwent preoperative renal imaging studies. Results: Of the 189 patients 31 (17.4%) had hydronephrosis; in 20 (10.6%) patients the hydronephrosis was mild, in 7 (3.7%) it was moderate and in 4 (2.7%) it was severe. The patients with hydronephrosis were older (mean age 68 +/- 9.5 SD vs. 60.5 +/- 10.8 SD, P<0.001) had a higher creatinine levels (0.84 +/- 0.4 SD vs. 0.78 +/- 0.3 SD P<0.005) and had a higher degree of uterine prolapse (mean 2.6 +/- 0.9 SD vs. 1.1 +/- 1.2 SD, P<0.005). After adjusting for age and type of prolapse, only patients with uterine prolapse remained significantly more likely to suffer from hydronephrosis (adjusted odds ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.2). Conclusion: The prevalence of hydronephrosis in patients with genital prolapse is appreciable and is related primarily to degree of uterine prolapse. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.