Sexual Function and Quality of Life After LEEP: a Prospective Multi-Center Study

NCT ID: NCT06078514

Last Updated: 2025-03-20

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

1000 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-05-02

Study Completion Date

2030-12-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of this prospective study is to investigate the sexual function and quality of life of women undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) due to HPV-related cervical lesion.

The main question it aims to answer are:

* Whether LEEP affects the sexual function of women in comparison to untreated women, and
* Whether LEEP affects the health-related quality of life of women in comparison to untreated women

Participants are asked to complete web based an international validated self-report questionnaire on sexual function issues, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and a validated quality of life -questionnaire 15D at the time of first colposcopy appointment and six and 24 months, 3 years and 5 years after index visit (LEEP or first colposcopy in control group). Relevant additional background information is also collected via questionnaire and from patient files.

Researchers will compare women with LEEP and those with only colposcopy visits to see any differences between self-reported sexual function (FSFI scores) or health-related quality of life (15D scores) both short and long-term.

Detailed Description

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We plan to recruit minimum of 1000 women referred to colposcopy in Tampere University Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, Kuopio University Hospital, Oulu University Hospital, North Karelia Central Hospital and Hyvinkää Hospital to our prospective multi-center study. Recruitment is done at gynecology outpatient clinics of the participating units at the first colposcopy visit, where the doctor performing the colposcopy informs the eligible women about the study, gives them the patient information letter, and asks them to participate and, if they agree, to fill in the informed consent. We aim to recruit 500 women undergoing LEEP (intervention arm) and at least 500 undergoing only colposcopy (control arm).

Pirkanmaa Hospital District Ethical Review Board has approved the study design and local scientific committees in each university hospital area applied for permission to launch the study.

In each participating unit, eligible women will be given a written patient information sheet on the study and asked to participate. From women willing to participate, a written informed consent will be collected and stored in locked cabinet in participating unit. These documents will be accessed only by study members.

Participants are contacted due to the study 5 times: at the time of recruitment, 6 months after the index visit (either first colposcopy or LEEP visit) and 24 months, 3 years and 5 years after the index visit. Each time they are asked to fill in the same questionnaires, sent by mail and available also web based. No additional visits are needed, nor any extra samples taken.

The study data is collected using REDCap system designed for safe patient data management. Access to the system is strictly restricted to the research team members, that are committed to handle the data according to good clinical practice.

At the end of the study, the digital data is to be stored at Pirkanmaa Hospital Disctrict official research files, where individual patient data will be available only for identified study members. In the analysis the data will be used pseudonymized. Informed consents will be stored in participating research units.

Conditions

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Cervical Dysplasia

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)

Women directed to colposcopy examination due to cytological abnormality or repeated HPV-positivity and undergone a LEEP procedure due to HPV-related cervical lesion

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The affected area of cervix is excised under local anesthesia using a small thin electrically charged hardwire loop for simultaneous cutting and electrocoagulation.

Colposcopy only

Women directed to colposcopy examination due to cytological abnormality or repeated HPV-positivity with no indication to LEEP

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)

The affected area of cervix is excised under local anesthesia using a small thin electrically charged hardwire loop for simultaneous cutting and electrocoagulation.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ)

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18 to 70 years
* First colposcopy visit (in 24 months, if previous colposcopies)
* Referral for cytological changes or repeated HPV positivity
* No previous LEEP or other operations affecting the length of cervix
* Not pregnant at the time of colposcopy/LEEP
* Sexually active
* Capable of understanding the study protocol - informed consent given
* Fluent in Finnish

Exclusion Criteria

* Age less than 18 or more than 70 years
* Previous colposcopy within 24 months
* Referral for other reason, e.g. vulvar lesion
* Previous LEEP or other operation affecting the length of cervix
* Pregnant at the time of colposcopy/LEEP
* Sexually inactive
* Unable to understand the study protocol - no informed consent
* Difficulties in understanding Finnish
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Tampere University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Helsinki

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Kuopio University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Oulu University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Hyvinkää Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

North Karelia Central Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Helsinki University Central Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Tampere University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Laura Kotaniemi-Talonen

Deputy Chief, Gynecology and Obstetrics

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Laura Kotaniemi-Talonen, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Tampere University Hospital

Locations

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Helsinki University Central Hospital

Helsinki, , Finland

Site Status RECRUITING

North Karelia Central Hospital

Joensuu, , Finland

Site Status RECRUITING

Kuopio University Hospital

Kuopio, , Finland

Site Status RECRUITING

Oulu University Hospital

Oulu, , Finland

Site Status RECRUITING

Tampere University Hospital

Tampere, , Finland

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Finland

Central Contacts

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Laura Kotaniemi-Talonen, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+358 3 311 66008

Facility Contacts

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Annu Heinonen, PhD

Role: primary

Ulla Korhonen, PhD

Role: primary

Johanna Palmroth, PhD

Role: primary

Marja Simojoki, PhD

Role: primary

Laura Kotaniemi-Talonen, Ass. prof

Role: primary

Karolina Louvanto, Prof

Role: backup

Other Identifiers

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R22017

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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