Changes in the quantity of collagen type I in women with genuine stress incontinence

The aim of this study, was to examine changes in the quantity of collagen type I in the pubocervical fascia of women with genuine stress incontinence (GSI), with and without pelvic relaxation. Seventy-eight patients participated in the study and they were divided into three groups that were comparable with respect to their age and parity. All the patients underwent filling cystometry and patients with detrusor instability were excluded from the study. Biopsies were obtained from the pubocervical fascia. The presence of collagen type I was determined with an immunohistochemical technique. The X-test was used for statistical analysis and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Collagen type I was significantly reduced in patients with GSI irrespective of the presence or absence of genital prolapse. Thus we found that women with GSI had a significant reduction of collagen type I in the pubocervical fascia which consequently affects the tensile strength of the pubocervical fascia and the support provided to the bladder neck.