title: Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women with Marfan or Ehlers Danlos syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in a cohort of women with either Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female patients with either Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were identified through a medical records search at two urban hospitals. Each patient's medical record was reviewed, and the history of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence was obtained through telephone interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve women with Marfan syndrome were identified. Among these women 5 (42%) reported a history of urinary incontinence and 4 (33%) reported a history of pelvic organ prolapse. Eight women with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were identified. Among these women 4 (50%) reported a history of urinary incontinence and 6 (75%) reported a history of pelvic organ prolapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have high rates of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. This finding supports the hypothesized etiologic role of connective tissue disorders as a factor in the pathogenesis of these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Carley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaffer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004535:Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011391:Prolapse; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology