Incontinence Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Incontinence, including details on urinary incontinence, bladder control, treatment, causes. | ||||||||
|
Pelvic-floor muscle function in women with pelvic organ prolapse.Borello-France DF, Handa VL, Brown MB, Goode P, Kreder K, Scheufele LL, Weber AM, Department of Physical Therapy, 111 Health Sciences Bldg, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA. borellofrance@duq.edu BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether pelvic organ prolapse severity, pelvic symptoms, quality of life, and sexual function differ based on pelvic-floor muscle function in women planning to have prolapse surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred seventeen women without urinary stress incontinence who were enrolled in a multicenter surgical trial were examined to determine pelvic-floor muscle function (by Brink scale score). The subjects were 61.6+/-10.2 (X+/-SD) years of age. Thirteen percent of the subjects had stage II (to the hymen) pelvic organ prolapse, 68% had stage III (beyond the hymen) prolapse, and 19% had stage IV (complete vaginal eversion) prolapse. Subjects with lowest (3-6) and highest (10-12) Brink scale scores were compared on prolapse severity, pelvic symptoms and bother, quality of life, and sexual function. RESULTS: Subjects with the highest Brink scores (n=75) had less advanced prolapse, smaller genital hiatus measurements, and less urinary symptom burden compared with those with the lowest Brink scores (n=56). The results indicated that pelvic-floor muscle function was not associated with condition-specific quality of life or sexual function. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although modestly clinically significant, better pelvic-floor muscle function was associated with less severe prolapse and urinary symptoms. Published 2 April 2007 in Phys Ther, 87(4): 399-407.
© 2004-2008 Incontinence Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
| ||||||
