title: Pelvic floor muscle function in a general population  of women with and without pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors: Marijke
authors: M
authors: Slieker-ten Hove
authors: Annelies
authors: A
authors: Pool-Goudzwaard
authors: Marinus
authors: M
authors: Eijkemans
authors: Regine
authors: R
authors: Steegers-Theunissen
authors: Curt
authors: C
authors: Burger
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Vierhout
mesh_terms: 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