title: Pelvic-floor muscle function in women with pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although modestly clinically significant, better pelvic-floor muscle function was associated with less severe prolapse and urinary symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, 111 Health Sciences Bldg, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA. borellofrance@duq.edu
authors.forename: Diane F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Borello-France
authors.forename: Victoria L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.forename: Morton B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goode
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kreder
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Scheufele
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011391:Prolapse; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000145:classification*