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Prevalence and degree of bother of pelvic floor disorder symptoms among women from primary care and specialty clinics in Lebanon: an exploratory study

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The prevalence of pelvic floor disorders (PFD) and their impact on quality of life of women vary among different populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms of PFD, and their degree of bother in a convenience sample of Lebanese women, and to evaluate health-care seeking (HCS) behavior related to PFD.

Methods

Women visiting clinics in a University Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon, completed the self-filled validated Arabic version of the Global Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ). Data covering demographics, comorbidities, and HCS behavior related to PFD were collected. Total individual PFBQ scores, individual PFD symptom scores and HCS behavior were correlated to demographic data and comorbidities.

Results

The study participants included 900 women. PFBQ scores were significantly higher in women of older age, women with a lower level of education, women with higher vaginal parity, and women who engaged in heavy lifting/physical activity. BMI >25 kg/m2 was the strongest independent risk factor for the presence of PFD symptoms. The overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was 42 %. Anal incontinence was the most bothersome PFD. Almost two thirds of the women reported HCS due to any aspect of PFD. Among symptomatic women who believed that their PFD warranted HCS, financial concern was the most common obstacle irrespective of age and educational level.

Conclusions

In this convenience sample of Lebanese women, PFD symptoms were common and were significantly correlated with demographic characteristics and self-reported comorbidities. The key reason for not seeking health care related to PFD was financial concern.

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Abbreviations

AI:

Anal incontinence

BMI:

Body mass index

CD:

Cesarean delivery

HCS:

Health-care seeking

MUI:

Mixed urinary incontinence

OAB:

Overactive bladder

PFBQ:

Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire

PFD:

Pelvic floor disorder

POP:

Pelvic organ prolapse

QoL:

Quality of life

SUI:

Stress urinary incontinence

UI:

Urinary incontinence

UUI:

Urgency urinary incontinence

VD:

Vaginal delivery

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

    Lilian Ghandour

  2. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Vatche Minassian

  3. King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed Al-Badr

  4. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

    Rami Abou Ghaida

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon

    Sandra Geagea & Tony Bazi

Authors
  1. Lilian Ghandour
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  2. Vatche Minassian
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  3. Ahmed Al-Badr
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  4. Rami Abou Ghaida
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  5. Sandra Geagea
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  6. Tony Bazi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tony Bazi.

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Appendices

Appendix 1. PFBQ

figure afigure a

Appendix 2. Additional questions

figure bfigure b

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Ghandour, L., Minassian, V., Al-Badr, A. et al. Prevalence and degree of bother of pelvic floor disorder symptoms among women from primary care and specialty clinics in Lebanon: an exploratory study. Int Urogynecol J 28, 105–118 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-016-3080-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-016-3080-y

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