Contributory effects of individual characteristics on pelvic floor distress in women with pelvic floor dysfunctions

Objective To determine individual characteristics (i.e. sociodemographic and medical, obstetric and gynecological, and musculoskeletal and anthropometric parameters) for greater pelvic floor distress (PFD). Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 253 women with pelvic floor dysfunction. PFD was assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20). The score of Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) was used to perform secondary analyses. Sociodemographic, medical, and obstetric & gynecological parameters were recorded. Waist and hip circumferences and pelvic diameters were measured as anthropometric parameters. Pearson test, t-test, and linear regression analyses were conducted with a significance level of 0.05. Results Education level (r = -0.23, p < .001; r = -0.24, p < .001), number of vaginal births (r = 0.15, p = .012; r = 0.12, p = .048), total vaginal birth weight (r = 0.15, p = .021; r = 0.16, p = .019), and Body Mass Index (r = 0.12, p = .043; r = 0.16, p = .007) were significantly correlated with the higher PFDI-20 and UDI-6 scores. The maternal age at the first vaginal birth (r = -0.13, p = .049) and pelvic antero-posterior diameter (r = 0.17, p = .013) were also significantly correlated with higher UDI-6 score. Linear regression analyses revealed that younger age (Beta coefficient (beta) = -1.10, p = .005), greater symptom duration (beta = 2.28, p = .001), the presence of chronic cough/constipation (beta = 25.72, p = .001), and increased total vaginal birth weight (beta = 2.38, p = .030) were associated with the greater PFDI-20 score. Increased pelvic antero-posterior diameter (beta = 0.88, p = .049) was a contributory factor for the greater UDI-6 score. Conclusion This study showed that younger age, chronic cough/constipation, higher total vaginal birth weight, greater symptom duration, and pelvic antero-posterior diameter can be contributors of greater PFD. We suggest further longitudinal studies that better reveal the causal relationship between individual characteristics and PFD.

Automated summary

This study found that younger age, chronic cough/constipation, higher total vaginal birth weight, greater symptom duration, and pelvic antero-posterior diameter may contribute to greater pelvic floor distress (PFD).