Prevalence Of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Research Articles

Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis

Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction in women with interstitial cystitis (IC). Methods Women with IC and pelvic pain were referred to the Beaumont Women’s Initiative for Pelvic Pain and Sexual Health program. A comprehensive patient history and pelvic examination were completed by a certified women’s health nurse practitioner. Results Seventy women with a mean age of 45 years were evaluated. Of these 70 women 87% had levator pain consistent with pelvic floor dysfunction. The mean levator pain score was 4.48 out of 10. Nearly two thirds of these women (64%) had their pain for 5 years or more, whereas one quarter (24%) had their pain for 1 to 3 years. Half of the women reported irritable bowel syndrome, and more than one third (36%) reported urge urinary incontinence. Conclusions Women with IC may have pelvic floor dysfunction, as noted in this population in which 87% had levator pain upon examination. If pelvic floor dysfunction is diagnosed in IC patients, then therapy targeting the pelvic floor musculature may be considered as part of a multimodality approach to treating IC.

Pelvic floor dysfunction after Burch colposuspension – a comprehensive study. Part II

To evaluate the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) concerning bowel function at long-term follow-up after Burch colposuspension (Bc) in relation to the bowel function in an age-matched sample of women in the general population. This is a follow-up study of a cohort of 190 patients who underwent Bc in 1980-1988 and 305 age-matched control women without urinary anti-incontinence surgery, randomly selected from the general population. The participants answered a postal questionnaire with detailed questions about the pelvic floor function in 1998. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The patients showed considerable signs of bowel dysfunction compared with the general population in the following aspects: they used the fingers to help emptying the bowel [odds ratio (OR) 3.25 (1.35-7.86)]; had feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel [OR 2.29 (1.11-4.73)]; felt no warning before passing a motion [OR 3.04 (1.20-7.71)]; had gas incontinence [OR 1.98 (1.17-3.37); had loose stool incontinence [OR 3.67 (1.43-9.42)]; used protection against fecal leakage during daytime [OR 3.22 (1.30-7.95)]; and experienced that the bowel function affected the general well-being adversely [OR 2.15 (1.30-3.56)]. The patients who have undergone colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence have more symptoms of PFD concerning the bowel function than women without urinary anti-incontinence surgery in the general population. This affects the general well-being. A comprehensive concept of multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of PFD should be encouraged.

The prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence in Canadian secondary school teenage girls: questionnaire study and review of the literature.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence in the Canadian nulligravid secondary school female teenage population. During the University of Toronto day in 1996, female visitors to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department booth were asked to complete anonymous pelvic floor and continence questionnaires, which were thoroughly explained to them and completed during their visit. Out of the 332 completed forms, 69% were completed by nulligravid teenagers in secondary school. These students formed our study population. The prevalence of urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) symptoms was 17% and of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) symptoms was 15%. In all candidates these reported symptoms were mild, occurring less than once a week. Occasional minor fecal incontinence (involuntary loss of flatus or fecal staining) was 38%; of these, 92% reported loss of flatus. Major fecal incontinence with loose bowel movements was reported by 3% of the study population. Two girls (1%) reported nocturnal enuresis. Weight directly correlated with SUI symptoms and fecal incontinence, but not with UUI. Fecal incontinence correlated with SUI symptoms (P = 0.0152), but not with UUI. Ten per cent of the study population were sexually active, but sexual activity did not correlate with incontinence problems. Voiding habits were markedly variable: 30% were infrequent voiders (three times or fewer per day). Nocturia was reported by 3%. We concluded that in nulligravid teenage female students minor fecal incontinence appears to be the most common incontinence type; urge incontinence was slightly more common than SUI. Unlike UUI, SUI symptoms were more prevalent with fecal incontinence, which were affected by weight. There appears to be a problem with a high prevalence of poor voiding habits.