Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms and knowledge level in obese women

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study compared the pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms and knowledge levels in obese and non-obese women. The study included 40 obese and 41 non-obese women. The presence of PFD and the severity of its symptoms were questioned with the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) (its sub-scales: Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (POPDI-6), Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory-8 (CRADI-8), Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6)). Participants’ PFD knowledge levels were evaluated with the Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ) and the Anal Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (AIKQ). The rates of urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms were higher in the obese group compared to the control group (p = .001). The POPDI-6, CRADI-8, UDI-6, and PFDI-20 scores were higher in the obese group compared to the control group (p < .001). Moreover, the knowledge level related to treatment methods for PFD was lower in the obese women compared to the non-obese women (p < .05). PFD symptom incidence and severity were higher and knowledge levels related to PFD were lower in the obese women compared to the non-obese women. Informative teaching programs on this issue would be beneficial as part of preventive health services.