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Pelvic floor muscle function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction

A retrospective chart review, 1992–2008

  • Original Article
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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The objectives of this study were to investigate the level of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) referred by gynaecologists and urologists for in-hospital pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), and to identity associated factors for a low level of PFM function.

Methods

Data of women with PFD referred to a PFMT programme were included in a retrospective chart review. Measurement of PFM function performed by digital vaginal palpation included: voluntary PFM contraction, PFM strength (Modified Oxford Grading Scale) and PFM static endurance.

Results

Data of 998 women, mean age 56 (SD 13) years, with PFD (urinary incontinence, n = 757, anal incontinence, n = 36, pelvic organ prolapse, n = 111, other PFD, n = 94) were analysed. In all, 690 women (70 %) were, at baseline, unable to perform correct voluntary PFM contraction, mean PFM strength was 1.5 (SD 1.0) points, mean PFM static endurance was 16.7 (SD 16.1) seconds. Age ≥ 65 years and year of referral > 2000 were significantly (p < 0.01) associated with the ability to perform correct PFM contraction. Likewise, year of referral was significantly associated with high PFM strength (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The majority of the women were unable to perform correct voluntary PFM contraction and almost all had low PFM strength. The most important factor associated with a low level of PFM function was age.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the physiotherapist Charlotte Salskov-Iversen for her participation as assessor and PFMT teacher in the study. Thanks are also due to the staff at the Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark.

Funding

None.

Financial disclaimer/conflict of interest

Neither of the authors have any conflicts of interest regarding this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark

    Sigrid Tibaek

  2. Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Christian Dehlendorff

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  1. Sigrid Tibaek
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  2. Christian Dehlendorff
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Correspondence to Sigrid Tibaek.

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Tibaek, S., Dehlendorff, C. Pelvic floor muscle function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction. Int Urogynecol J 25, 663–669 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-013-2277-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-013-2277-6

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