The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantifications System (POP-Q) is a system for assessing the degree of prolapse of pelvic organs to help standardize diagnosing, comparing, documenting, and sharing of clinical findings.[1][2] This assessment is the most frequently used[3][4] among research publications related to pelvic organ prolapse.[4]
When assessed using the POP-Q, the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse is estimated to be up to 50% while diagnosis by symptoms has a prevalence of 3–6%.[2] Some advocate that the system of assessment be modified.[5]
The POP-Q was developed in 1996, it quantifies the descent of pelvic organs into the vagina.[3][6][2] The POP-Q provides reliable description of the support of the anterior, posterior and apical vaginal wall. It uses objective and precise distance measurements to the reference point, the hymen. Cystocele and prolapse of the vagina from other causes is staged using POP-Q criteria and can range from good support (no descent into the vagina) reported as a POP-Q stage 0 or I to a POP-Q score of IV, which includes prolapse beyond the hymen. It also used to quantify the movement of other structures into the vaginal lumen and their descent.[6][2]
^Oyama, Ian A.; Steinberg, Adam C.; Watai, Travis K.; Minaglia, Steven M. (2012). "Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification Use in the Literature". Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery. 18 (1): 33–34. doi:10.1097/spv.0b013e31823bd1ab. PMID22453265. S2CID26251358.