title: The prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse symptoms and signs and their relation with bladder and bowel disorders in a general female population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In selected populations, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) was associated with bladder/bowel symptoms, but data on the general female population are lacking. Our aim was to obtain normative data on the prevalence of POP and pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms and signs and to identify associations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Validated questionnaires on POP and PFD (urogenital distress inventory, (UDI) and defaecation distress inventory (DDI)) were sent to a general population of 2,979 women (aged 45-85 years). Data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, chi square test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response rate was 62.7%. Associations between POP stage and parity (0.002) and vaginal bulging (<0.001) are significant. Anatomical locations of POP and PFD symptoms correlated significantly with incontinence of flatus, feeling anal prolapse, manual evacuation of stool, vaginal bulging, constipation and pain during faecal urge (p < or = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategies should be developed to alleviate obstructive bowel disorders associated with POP.
authors.affiliation: Cobra Research Institute, Pelvic floor research, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. m.slieker@somt.nl
authors.forename: Marijke C Ph
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Slieker-ten Hove
authors.forename: Annelies L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pool-Goudzwaard
authors.forename: Marinus J C
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Eijkemans
authors.forename: Regine P M
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Steegers-Theunissen
authors.forename: Curt W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Vierhout
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*