This study aims to compare pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in post-menopause women with and without pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and the relationship between PFM function and quality of life MATERIAL AND METHODS: a case-control study with 216 post-menopause women with (n=126) and without PFD (n=90). PFM function was assessed by digital vaginal palpation using PERFECT scale. Specific quality of life was evaluated by King's Health Questionnaire for women with urinary incontinence and Prolapse Quality-of-Life Questionnaire for women with pelvic organ prolapse. We analyzed women with PFD into two categories: Oxford's grade ≤2 or ≥ 3 using a Qui Square test RESULTS: Out of 126 womem with PFD 44/34.9% presented stress urinary incontinence, 21/16.6% pelvic organ prolapse and 61/48.4% urinary incontinence + pelvic organ prolapse. Strength had a median value 2 (0-5) in all women studied and most of them had insufficient strength, reduced endurance and repetition without statistical difference between groups. Incontinent women with strength ≤ 2 had worse perception of general health domain of King's Health Questionnaire (p= 0.007). No association was found between PFM function and Prolapse Quality-of-Life Questionnaire CONCLUSIONS: PFM function assessed by bidigital palpation in post-menopausal women was not enough sensitive to differentiate between women with vs. without PFM dysfunction and was not related with specific quality of life in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, respectively. These date should be used to reinforce the widespread recommendation that PFM training is essencial in PFD treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved..
Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. 2018 Jan 20 [Epub ahead of print]
Isabella Parente Ribeiro Frota, Adriana Bombonato Oliveira Rocha, José Ananias Vasconcelos Neto, Camila Teixeira Moreira Vasconcelos, Thais Fontes De Magalhaes, Sara Arcanjo Lino Karbage, Kathiane Lustosa Augusto, Simony Lira Do Nascimento, Jorge Millem Haddad, Leonardo Robson Pinheiro Sobreira Bezerra
School Assis Chateaubriand, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE., Department of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP., Departament of Nursing, Faculty of Pharmacy, Odontology and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE., Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.