Pelvic floor muscle function in a general population  of women with and without pelvic organ prolapse.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to examine the relationship between pelvic floor muscle function (PFMF) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in a general female population.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study on women aged 45-85 years. Validated questionnaires were used to assess pelvic floor muscle function. POP and PFMF were evaluated with vaginal examination. For statistical analysis chi-squared test for trend and analysis of variance were used.


RESULTS
Response rate to the questionnaire was 62.7% (1,869/2,979). No significant differences were found in muscle strength and endurance during voluntary muscle contraction between the POP stages. Women with POP stages I and II were significantly less able to achieve effective involuntary muscle contraction during coughing (38.3% and 37.7%) than women without POP (75.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Involuntary contraction of the PFM during coughing (that resulted in stabilization of the perineum) was significantly weaker in the women with POP stage I and II than in the women without POP.
Slieker-ten Hove
Marijke
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Pool-Goudzwaard
Annelies
A
Eijkemans
Marinus
M
Steegers-Theunissen
Regine
R
Burger
Curt
C
Vierhout
Mark
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires