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Prevalence of cognitive impairment in older women with pelvic floor disorders

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia among women >55 years seeking care for pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) and to describe the impact of cognitive impairment on condition-specific quality of life (QoL). We hypothesized that the prevalence of MCI would be at least 15% among this population.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of English-speaking women >55 years presenting for evaluation of PFDs. We assessed baseline demographics and administered the Short Test of Mental Status (STMS) to screen for cognitive impairment. We predicted a sample of 196 would be needed for a precision of ±5% of the estimated sample prevalence in participants with PFDs. Chi-square tests were used to compare categorical variables and Student’s t tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for continuous variables. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess for any independent association with cognitive impairment and condition-specific QoL.

Results

Between July 2013 and July 2014, 211 participants were enrolled. The prevalence of MCI and early dementia were 15% [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.9–20.6; n = 32)] and 17% (95% CI 11.9–22.1; n = 36], respectively. Patients with MCI and early dementia had higher Patient Heath Questionnaire scores indicating greater depressive symptoms (p = 0.006) and higher overall Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire scores indicating worse condition-specific QoL (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

MCI and early dementia were prevalent in our population seeking care for PFDs. Women with cognitive impairment experienced worse condition-specific QoL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urogynecology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Cynelle Murray Kunkle, Melinda G. Abernethy, Lily R. Van Tongeren, Tola B. Fashokun & Chi Chiung Grace Chen

  2. 1447 York Road, Suite 100, Lutherville, MD, 21093, USA

    Cynelle Murray Kunkle

  3. Department of Urology, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Edward J. Wright

Authors
  1. Cynelle Murray Kunkle
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  2. Melinda G. Abernethy
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  3. Lily R. Van Tongeren
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  4. Tola B. Fashokun
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  5. Edward J. Wright
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  6. Chi Chiung Grace Chen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cynelle Murray Kunkle.

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Conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest; the views presented here reflect the opinions of the authors and not the agency or institution where they are employed.

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No financial support was provided to conduct this study.

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Kunkle, C.M., Abernethy, M.G., Van Tongeren, L.R. et al. Prevalence of cognitive impairment in older women with pelvic floor disorders. Int Urogynecol J 28, 1645–1650 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-017-3322-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-017-3322-7

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