Characteristics and effects on daily lives of pelvic girdle pain during early postpartum in Beijing women, China.

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a common problem during pregnancy and postpartum and negatively affects women's well-being. Yet it is not well known in China. This study assessed PGP's intensity, location, and quality and the status of daily activities on postpartum women with pain, and explored the relationship between pain and the prevalence of depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional study recruiting 1,038 eligible women at 6 weeks postpartum from the obstetric clinic of a hospital was conducted in Beijing, China. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires, including Introductory information form, Body chart, Number Rating Scale, McGill Pain Questionnaire-2, Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. In this study, 32.2 percent women experienced pain. The mean (SD) pain intensity score was 3.07 ± 1.60. About 50.6 percent women experienced sacroiliac joint pain, and 25.5 percent women experienced pain in a combination of locations. About 73.1 percent women experienced aching pain, and 57.5 percent experienced more than one kind of pain quality. The mean total score, which assesses activity and symptom limitations, was 21.93 ± 17.35 (percent), of which a normal sex life (1.29 ± 0.94) was made more challenging due to pain. In mental health, the prevalence of depressive symptoms coincided with the prevalence of pain (p = 0.008). Postpartum PGP still needs to be taken seriously, and women with pain require further support. The above knowledge offers information to manage pain, daily lives and depressive symptoms, contributes to think about strategies to better promote postpartum women physical and mental health in the future.

Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy and early postpartum - prevalence and risk factors in a multi-ethnic cohort.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is common during and after pregnancy. It has been assumed that Scandinavian women report more PGP than women of other ethnicities. However, there are few population-based studies on ethnic differences and few with ethnicity as risk factor for PGP. The purposes of the present study were: To examine the prevalence of self-reported PGP through pregnancy and early postpartum in a multi-ethnic cohort. To investigate how ethnicity and patient characteristics were associated with risk of PGP during pregnancy and early postpartum. To investigate if clinical and personal factors obtained in gestation week (GW) 15 were associated with PGP in GW28 and postpartum week (PPW) 14. METHODS: This study analyzed questionnaire data from 823 women from the Stork - Groruddalen mult-iethnic cohort study in Norway. Chi-square tests were used to investigate ethnic differences in prevalence of self-reported PGP, and logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with self-reported PGP. RESULTS: Women from South-Asia and Middle East reported 10-20% higher prevalence of self-reported PGP at all time points compared with Western women. Ethnicity was associated with PGP in GW15 and PPW14, adjusted for parity. Pain locations in pelvic area (PGP locations) in GW15, especially combined symphysis and posterior PGP, gave the highest risk (OR=7.4) for PGP in GW28 and in PPW14 (OR = 3.9). Being multiparous was a risk for PGP in PPW14 (OR=1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Women of South Asian and Middle Eastern background had higher risk of self-reported PGP than Western women. Ethnicity was associated with PGP in GW15 and PPW14, after adjustments for parity. PGP locations in GW15 was the most prominent risk factor for PGP in GW28 and PPW14, whilst ethnicity was not significant in multivariable analyses.

Generalized joint hypermobility and the risk of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: Is body mass index of importance?-A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) affects approximately 50% of pregnant women. The mechanisms are multifactorial but not fully understood. Women with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) may be vulnerable to load in the pelvic joints during pregnancy. Our aim was to investigate if women with GJH had an increased risk of PGP and higher pain intensity during and after pregnancy, compared with women with normal joint mobility. We also studied if body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy influenced that risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 356 women, whose data were collected by self-reports and clinical examinations in early and in late pregnancy and 9 months after childbirth. GJH was present with ≥5/9 points on the Beighton score. PGP was defined by a pain drawing and ≥1 positive test. Pain intensity was measured with a visual analogue scale (0-100 mm). We adjusted for age and origin in logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In early pregnancy, 47.1% of the women with GJH had PGP vs 32.6% of women with normal joint mobility (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-3.62) and had higher odds of reporting higher pain intensity (aOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.02-4.07). The odds of PGP were highest for women with GJH and BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (aOR 6.88; 95% CI 1.34-35.27) compared with women with normal joint mobility and BMI <25 kg/m2 . The estimated associations were weaker and not statistically significant in late pregnancy or after childbirth. CONCLUSIONS: Women with GJH did not have an increased risk of PGP during or after pregnancy but reported higher pain intensity in early pregnancy compared with women with normal joint mobility. Since women with combined GJH and BMI ≥25 kg/m2 had the highest odds of PGP in early pregnancy, our results may suggest that health care needs to pay attention to and develop methods to reduce the risk of PGP and delay the onset of pain during pregnancy in women with this combination.

Heredity of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain in Sweden.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic girdle pain during and after pregnancy is a major public health problem with significant daily problems for affected women and their families. There is now accumulating evidence that pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain originates from the sacroiliac joints and the pubic symphysis as well as their extra-articular ligaments. However, the heritability of the disease remains to be determined. We hypothesized that there is an increased familial risk of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population-based national database linkage registry study of approximately 9.3 million individuals within 4.2 million families in Sweden with a recruitment period from 1997 to 2018. The Swedish Multi-generation register was used to find female pairs of twins, full siblings, half-siblings and first cousins where both in the pairs had a completed pregnancy. The outcome measure was diagnosis of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (International Classification of Diseases-10 O26.7 [1997-2018]) in the first pregnancy. Data was obtained from the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register, the Swedish Outpatient Care Register, the Swedish Medical Birth Register, the Primary Healthcare Register, and Medical Treatment Register. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted estimated effect of the exposure variable familial history of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain on the outcome variable pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain at first birth. RESULTS: From the registers, 1 010 064 women pregnant with their first child within 795 654 families were collected. In total, 109 147 women were diagnosed with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. The adjusted hazard ratio for a familial risk of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain was 2.09 (95% CI 1.85-2.37) among twins (monozygotic and dizygotic), 1.78 (95% CI 1.74-1.82) in full siblings, 1.16 (95% CI 1.06-1.28) in half-siblings from the mother, 1.09 (95% CI 1.024-1.16) in half-siblings from the father and 1.09 (95% CI 1.07-1.12) in first cousins. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide observational study showed a familial clustering of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. The hazard ratio for the condition was associated with the degree of relatedness, suggesting that heredity factors contribute to the development of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. There is no causal treatment available for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and further studies are now encouraged to clarify the specific genetic factors that contribute to the disease and for future targeted interventions.

Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy: A Review.

Importance: Pelvic girdle pain is often thought to be a recent phenomenon, but this condition was described as early as 400 BC by Hippocrates. Despite being identified for years, confusion continues about the definition and management of this ailment affecting many pregnancies. Objective: The purpose of the review is to assess the incidence, etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, management, and pregnancy outcomes/recovery of current pregnancies, and outcomes of future pregnancies complicated by pelvic girdle pain. Evidence Acquisition: Electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) were searched from 1980 to 2021 with the only limitation being that the articles were in English. Studies were selected that examined associations between pelvic pain/pelvic girdle pain and pregnancy. Results: There were 343 articles identified. After reviewing the abstracts, 88 were used in this review. Pelvic girdle pain is a common condition of pregnancy, affecting a reported 20% of pregnant women. The pathophysiology is poorly understood and likely multifactorial, involving both hormonal and biomechanical changes that occur during pregnancy. Several risk factors have been identified. This diagnosis is most commonly made based on symptoms related to pelvic pain during pregnancy. Treatment should be multimodal, including pelvic girdle support, stabilizing exercises, analgesia, and potentially complementary therapies. The effects on future pregnancies are uncertain, although some limited information suggests an increased risk of recurrent PGP in subsequent pregnancies. Conclusions: Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy is a common condition that is often overlooked as a normal part of pregnancy but has a significant impact on quality of life during, after, and in subsequent pregnancies. Multimodal therapies are available and are largely low cost and noninvasive. Relevance: Our aim is to increase the awareness of pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy as a common but often underdiagnosed and undertreated condition.

Pregnancy-related low back/pelvic girdle pain: Prevalence, severity, and risk factors in Zhengzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related low back pain (LBP) and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) significantly affect the quality of life of pregnant women. Understanding their severity and risk factors may help prevent and alleviate such pain and their resulting dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prevalence, severity, and biopsychosocial risk factors of pregnancy-related LBP and PGP in Zhengzhou, China. METHODS: The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Chinese version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and other questionnaires were self-administered by 1020 pregnant women undergoing treatment at a tertiary hospital between July and December 2019. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with pregnancy-related LBP and/or PGP. RESULTS: The prevalence of LBP and/or PGP during pregnancy was 63.0%, and most participants (80.4%) had both. The mean NPRS and RMDQ disability scores were 2.44 ± 2.10 and 6.66 ± 4.65, respectively. A higher gestational body mass index, LBP and/or PGP during menstruation, history of pregnancy-related LBP and/or PGP, and constant pressure were significantly associated with pregnancy-related LBP and/or PGP. Subjective support was a protective factor against LBP and/or PGP. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of LBP and/or PGP was high. The risk factors should be included in routine prenatal care to identify patients at risk of LBP and/or PGP.

Role of depressive symptoms on the development of pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy: A prospective inception cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy is a major public health concern. For too many women, the pain condition causes disability and sick leave, has a negative impact on daily life, and breeds doubt in their view as mother, partner, and worker. The pathophysiology is unknown and causal treatment is lacking. Depression in pregnancy is common, undertreated, and previously associated with pelvic girdle pain with unclear causal direction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective inception cohort study of 356 Swedish women examined them in early and late pregnancy. Women with a positive Posterior Pelvic Pain Provocation test in early pregnancy were not included. The exposure, depressive symptoms in early pregnancy, was self-reported on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, depression part (0-21). Outcome measure in late pregnancy was a graded score on the Posterior Pelvic Pain Provocation test (0-8). Covariates for statistical adjustment were identified in a directed acyclic graph. Linear robust and logistic regression were used in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: In early pregnancy, the 248 women with negative Posterior Pelvic Pain Provocation test had a mean score of 2.35 (± 2.3 standard deviation) on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, depression part. In a fully adjusted, multiple robust regression model a positive association was shown between Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score, depression part, and the Posterior Pelvic Pain Provocation test score in late pregnancy with an estimated effect of ß = 0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.48, p < 0.001). Dichotomization of exposure (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, depression part <8/≥8) and outcome (Posterior Pelvic Pain Provocation test score 0/>0) rendered adjusted odds ratio 1.71 (95% CI 0.38-7.7) and numbers needed to treat adjusted odds ratio 5.54 (95% CI -3.4-14.5). CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms in early pregnancy were associated with the development and intensity of pelvic girdle pain in late pregnancy. Considering the small sample size, screening and treatment for depressive symptoms in early pregnancy may enable a way to reduce and prevent disabling pelvic girdle pain in late pregnancy. Trials are needed to confirm the results.

Telerehabilitation for persistent Pelvic Girdle Pain within a biopsychosocial framework - A case report.

BACKGROUND: Persistent pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and the resulting consequences may considerably influence a woman's quality of life. The complexity of this condition requires a whole-person centered approach. In response to COVID-19 outbreak, telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional in-person visits. PURPOSE: The aim of this report was to present the potential of telerehabilitation for persistent postpartum PGP within the biopsychosocial framework. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 26-year-old female presented with persistent pregnancy-related PGP of 8 months duration after her first vaginal delivery. The video-consults were performed using telerehabilitation platform. The patient received six telerehabilitation consults of 45 min duration over five weeks. Assessment of physical and psychosocial factors, cognitively focused strategies including pain neurophysiology education, sensory-motor remapping exercises, and graded increase of activity were administered. Rehabilitation was divided into the following phases: assessment, desensitization, graded exposure, and supported independence. OUTCOMES: The Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ) score was significantly reduced from 72.2 during the assessment to 15.3 at discharge. This change was significantly more substantial than the minimal clinically important change estimated for the PGQ. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapists can utilize telerehabilitation to assist them with enacting appropriate care measures for persistent PGP within a biopsychosocial framework.

Prevalence and factors associated with lumbopelvic pain among pregnant women in their third trimester: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: pregnancy related lumbopelvic pain, which refers to low back pain and pelvic girdle pain, is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting quality of life. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence and the factors associated with lumbopelvic pain among pregnant women in their third trimester. Methods: four hundred and nineteen pregnant women were included in this institutional-based cross-sectional study. The study was carried out from October 2018 to March 2019 at Kawempe national referral hospital in Uganda. Pregnant women in the third trimester participated in the study. Pregnant women with preexisting backache, a fracture or surgery to the back, hip or pelvic area in the preceding 12 months were excluded. Lumbopelvic pain was defined as low back pain and pelvic girdle pain. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were carried out to establish the factors associated with lumbopelvic pain. The presence of lumbopelvic pain was assessed for and diagnosed using the illustrations in the pelvic girdle questionnaire. Results: the prevalence of pregnancy related lumbopelvic pain was 46% (95% CI: 40.8-50.4). Most women who had pregnancy related lumbopelvic pain experienced lumbar pain. The factors independently associated with pregnancy related lumbopelvic pain (PLPP) were being HIV sero positive [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.25, 95% CI: 1.17-4.35] and having no monthly income (AOR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30-0.94). Conclusion: in this study, PLPP is common in women attending antenatal clinic in their third trimester. The factors associated with PLPP were being HIV positive and having no income. In future pregnant women who come for antenatal care with pregnancy related lumbopelvic pain should be given appropriate advice and support.

Prevalence and factors associated with postpartum pelvic girdle pain among women in Poland: a prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a type of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. This study aimed to examine the prevalence, severity, and factors associated with postpartum PGP in a selected group of postpartum women in Poland. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study. In phase 1, 411 women were recruited 24-72 h postpartum. The prevalence of PGP was assessed by a physiotherapist using a series of dedicated tests. Pelvic floor muscle function and presence of diastasis recti were assessed via palpation examination. Age, education, parity, mode of delivery, infant body mass, body mass gain during pregnancy, the use of anesthesia during delivery and were recorded. In a phase 2, 6 weeks postpartum, the prevalence of PGP and its severity were assessed via a self-report. RESULTS: In phase 1 (shortly postpartum), PGP was diagnosed in 9% (n = 37) of women. In phase 2 (6 weeks postpartum), PGP was reported by 15.70% of women (n = 42). The univariable analyses showed a higher likelihood of PGP shortly postpartum in women who declared PGP during pregnancy (OR 14.67, 95% CI 4.43-48.61) and among women with abdominal midline doming (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.04-4.06). The multivariable regression analysis showed significant associations in women with increased age (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.21) and declaring PGP during pregnancy (OR 14.83, 95% CI 4.34-48.72). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of postpartum PGP among women in Poland is lower than reported in other countries, it is experienced by almost every tenth women shortly postpartum and every sixth can report similar symptoms 6 weeks later. Age, PGP during pregnancy and abdominal midline doming were associated with experiencing PGP shortly postpartum.

The effect of gestational diabetes mellitus on occurrence of the pelvic girdle pain and symptom severity in pregnant women.

The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on pelvic girdle pain (PGP) occurrence and symptom severity. Pregnant women who were with/without GDM, 20-40 years of age, and also in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were included in the study. PGP provocation tests were administered to 187 pregnant women to determine the presence and severity of PGP. Based on the test results, the study subjects were divided into two groups; Group 1 (GDM+, PGP+; n:32) and Group 2 (GDM-, PGP+; n:35). Both groups were asked to fill in the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). The relationship between the presence of GDM and the presence of PGP was found to be significant (p = .043). It was found the groups were similar in view of pain, and also in PGQ total/subscale scores (p > .05). Although GDM has no effect on symptom severity, it has been determined that it may relate to the development of PGP. Therefore, early interventions (nutrition, exercise, belt using, etc.) are recommended to prevent the development of PGP in pregnant women with a family history of diabetes, with a previous diagnosis of diabetes and/or with GDM detected in their previous pregnancies. Clinical Trial Number: 04769375Impact of StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Gestational diabetes mellitus and pelvic girdle pain are pathologies that develops secondary to pregnancy-related systemic and biomechanical changes.What do results on this study add? GDM may related the development of PGP.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Early interventions (nutrition, exercise, belt using, etc.) and strict control of pregnant women in view of PGP is recommended to prevent the development of PGP in pregnant women with a family history of diabetes, with previous diagnosis of diabetes and/or with GDM detected in their previous pregnancies. The evaluation of pregnant women for PGP before administering interventions, such as exercise and diet (both decrease the pro-inflammatory markers), following the diagnosis of GDM and the measurement of plasma anti- and pro-inflammatory marker values in the same time period will further reveal the relationship between GDM and PGP.

Prevalence of Antenatal Depressive Symptoms and its Associated Factors among Pregnant Nepalese Women with and Without Low Back- and/or Pelvic Girdle Pain.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women with health problems have shown higher odds of depressive symptoms. Evidence suggests a co-morbid relation between pregnancy-related low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain and the risk of depression. The aims were to investigate the prevalence of symptoms of depression among pregnant Nepalese women in general and among pregnant Nepalese women with low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain and to identify factors associated to symptoms of depression. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using standardized condition-specific questionnaires with response from 1284 pregnant Nepalese women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined variables associated with symptoms of depression. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of the women presented with moderate to high symptom level of depression, compared to 29% of the women with low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain. Low education, living without husband, no rest during work, higher self-reported disability, higher pain intensity and symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse were associated with higher odds of symptoms of depression among the women with low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain. For the total sample, fetching water and having symptoms of low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain and living without husband were associated to symptoms of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-one percent of the pregnant women reported moderate to high symptom level of depression. The proportion of women with symptoms of depression was significantly higher among the women categorized as having low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain. Our findings highlight the need to address both emotional and physical needs among pregnant Nepalese women.

Validation of self-administered tests for screening for chronic pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

BACKGROUND: Many women develop pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during pregnancy and about 10% have chronic pain several years after delivery. Self-administered pain provocation tests are one way to diagnose and evaluate this pain. Their validity in post-partum women is not yet studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of self-administered test for assessment of chronic pregnancy-related PGP several years after delivery. METHODS: Women who previously have had PGP during pregnancy and who participated in one of three RCT studies were invited to a postal follow up of symptoms including performance of self-administered tests after two, 6 or 11 years later, respectively. In total, 289 women returned the questionnaire and the test-results. Of these, a sub-group of 44 women with current PGP underwent an in-person clinical examination. Comparisons were made between test results in women with versus without PGP but also, in the sub-group, between the self-administered tests and those performed during the clinical examination. RESULTS: Fifty-one women reported PGP affecting daily life during the last 4 weeks, and 181 reported pain when performing at least one of the tests at home. Those with chronic PGP reported more positive tests (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between diagnosis from the self-administered tests compared to tests performed during the in-person clinical examination (p = 0.305), either for anterior or posterior PGP. There were no significant differences of the results between the tests performed self-administered vs. during the clinical examination. CONCLUSION: A battery of self-administered tests combined with for example additional specific questions or a pain-drawing can be used as a screening tool to diagnose chronic PGP years after delivery. However, the modified SLR test has limitations which makes its use questionable.

Women with diastasis recti abdominis might have weaker abdominal muscles and more abdominal pain, but no higher prevalence of pelvic floor disorders, low back and pelvic girdle pain than women without diastasis recti abdominis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether women with diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) have weaker abdominal muscles and higher prevalence of pelvic floor disorders (PFD), low back, pelvic girdle and abdominal pain than women without DRA. DESIGN: Cross sectional study of women with and without DRA. SETTING: University study. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two parity and age matched women with and without DRA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximal abdominal muscle strength and endurance were assessed with a dynamometer and with a curl-up test. Women reported whether they experienced PFD, low back pain, pelvic girdle pain or abdominal pain. Those experiencing PFD or pain completed the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ) or questions about abdominal pain, respectively. RESULTS: Maximal abdominal strength standing with 30° hip flexion was significantly lower in women with DRA (mean difference -12.9Nm, 95%CI: -24.4 to -1.5; P=0.028), but adjusted analyses showed no significant difference (mean difference -11.9Nm, 95%CI: -26.5 to 2.6; P=0.106). Adjusted analyses showed significant higher prevalence of abdominal pain in women with DRA (OR: 0.02, 95%CI: 0.00 to 0.61, P=0.026). There was no difference between the groups in PFD, low back and pelvic girdle pain. CONCLUSION: Women with DRA tend to have weaker abdominal muscles and higher prevalence of abdominal pain, but no higher prevalence of PFD, low back or pelvic girdle pain than women without DRA.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Pelvic Girdle Pain During Pregnancy in Australian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted between December 2017 and October 2019. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) in Australia. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: PPGP is a common condition worldwide yet the prevalence and associated risk factors are not known in Australia. METHODS: A random sample of pregnant women (N = 780) of (mean [SD]) 31 (5) years of age between 14 and 38 weeks gestation attending ante-natal care in a tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia was conducted. The main outcome measure was point-prevalence of PPGP as classified by recommended guidelines including a physical examination. A number of potential risk factors, including socio-demographic characteristics, country of birth, ethnicity, history of low back pain (LBP) and PPGP, family history of PPGP, occupational factors, and physical activity were investigated with logistic regression. RESULTS: The point-prevalence of PPGP in a random sample of 780 Australian women was 44% with the odds of having PPGP increasing with each additional week of gestation (odds ratio [OR]) (OR 1.02). Increasing parity (P = 0.03, OR 1.15), country of birth (P = 0.03), and greater duration of time spent standing (P = 0.009, OR 1.06) were associated with PPGP. The strongest predictors of PPGP were previous LBP and/or PPGP both pregnancy (P < 0.001, OR 4.35) and not pregnancy related (P < 0.001, OR 2.24), and a family history of PPGP (P < 0.001, OR 3.76). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PPGP in Australian women was high with almost half the sample classified with PPGP, matching data reported worldwide. The identified risk factors associated with PPGP can be included in routine ante-natal care to screen women and identify those at risk of this common and disabling condition.Level of Evidence: 1.

Elite Athletes and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate fetal and maternal pregnancy outcomes of elite athletes who had participated in competitive sport immediately before conception. METHODS: Online databases were searched up to March 24, 2020. Studies of any design and language were eligible if they contained information on the relevant population (pregnant women), exposure (engaged in elite sport immediately before pregnancy), and outcomes (birth weight, low birth weight, macrosomia, preterm birth, fetal heart rate and pulse index, cesarean sections, instrumental deliveries, episiotomies, duration of labor, perineal tears, pregnancy-induced low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, urinary incontinence, miscarriages, prenatal weight gain, inadequate/excess prenatal weight gain, maternal depression or anxiety). RESULTS: Eleven unique studies (n = 2256 women) were included. We identified "low" certainty evidence demonstrating lower rates of low back pain in elite athletes compared with active/sedentary controls (n = 248; odds ratio, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.73; I2 = 0%) and "very low" certainty evidence indicating an increased odds of excessive prenatal weight gain in elite athletes versus active/sedentary controls (n = 1763; odds ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-4.85; I2 = 0%). Low certainty evidence from two studies (n = 7) indicated three episodes of fetal bradycardia after high-intensity exercise that resolved within 10 min of cessation of activity. No studies reported inadequate gestational weight gain or maternal depression or anxiety. There were no differences between elite athletes and controls for all other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There is "low" certainty of evidence that elite athletes have reduced odds of experiencing pregnancy-related low back pain and "very low"certainty of evidence that elite athletes have increased the odds of excessive weight gain compared with active/sedentary controls. More research is needed to provide strong evidence of how elite competitive sport before pregnancy affects maternal and fetal outcomes.PROSPERO Registration: CRD42020167382.

Sexuality and mood changes in women with persistent pelvic girdle pain after childbirth: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain is a common problem during pregnancy. For most women, the symptoms cease within the first 3-6 months of giving birth, but in some women the pain persists. In this study we investigate the sexuality and frequency of depressive symptoms in women with persistent pelvic girdle pain after childbirth and in healthy women. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of women with persistent pelvic girdle pain after childbirth and a control group of healthy women. The frequency of depressive symptoms and sexuality were measured using the self-rating version of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-six women with persistent pelvic girdle pain and thirty-nine healthy women were enrolled. The frequency of depressive symptoms and the total score on female sexuality did not differ between the groups. However, pain during intercourse was more frequent (P < 0.001) in women with persistent pelvic girdle pain and caused them to avoid sexual intercourse frequently (P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression a higher frequency of depressive symptoms was reversely correlated with a lower score on female sexuality (ß = - 0,41, p < 0,001 95% CI -0,6 - -0,22) This association remained after adjusting for obstetric variables and individual characteristics. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms and female sexuality were similar between women with persistent pelvic girdle pain after childbirth and healthy controls. However, pain during intercourse and avoidance of sexual intercourse were more frequent among women with pelvic girdle pain.

Burden of pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy among women attending ante-natal clinic, Ethiopia:a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a commonly reported maternal morbidity that negatively impacts the well-being of women during pregnancy and extends long term into the post-partum period. The burden of maternal morbidity; including pregnancy-related PGP; has been overlooked in Ethiopia to date. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy in North West Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women visiting the antenatal care clinic in Obstetrics 'outpatient department at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital in Gondar. Data were collected by interview method using structured questionnaires, patient medical record reviews, and physical measurements. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression model analyses were used to identify factors associated with PGP. RESULTS: A total of 424 participants with gestational ages ranging from 6 to 39 weeks participated in this study. The age of the study participants ranged from 18 to 44 years with a mean age of (27 ± 4.6 years). The overall cumulative prevalence of pelvic girdle pain among pregnant women was 103 (24.3%),95% CI (20.3, 28.8). The major associated factors with pelvic girdle pain were previous history of pelvic girdle pain (AOR 16.08; 95% CI, 8.47-30.51), previous history of back pain (AOR 1.66; 95% CI, 1.5-4.24) and having children (AOR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.29-3.76). CONCLUSION: One-quarter of pregnant Ethiopian women reported pelvic girdle pain. PGP must be considered as major pregnancy-related morbidity, and progress in the intervention of PGP is vital to enhance the quality of life in this population.

The Association of Self-Reported Generalized Joint Hypermobility with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is common during pregnancy but the causes remain poorly understood. Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is an inherited trait, with joint mobility beyond normal limits and is assumed to be related with PGP. The aim of this project was to study the association between self-reported GJH and the presence of PGP during pregnancy. METHODS: In this cohort study, 4884 Swedish-speaking women were consecutively recruited at their first visit for registration in the national antenatal screening programme in Sweden. We used the five-part questionnaire (5PQ) to assess GJH and pain drawings to identify PGP. Our primary outcome was the presence of PGP during the entire pregnancy and secondary outcomes were PGP in each trimesters. We tested the associations with logistic regression analysis, and adjusted for age and ethnicity. RESULTS: In all, 2455 (50.3%) women responded to both questionnaires. The prevalence of self-reported GJH was 28.7%. A higher proportion of women with GJH than women without GJH reported PGP during the entire pregnancy (47.9% vs. 41.0%), particularly in trimester 1 (31.6% vs. 22.0%). Thus, women with GJH also had higher odds of PGP during the entire pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.27: 95% CI 1.11-1.47) and in trimester 1 (aOR 1.54: 95% CI 1.20-1.96), but the associations were not statistically significant in trimester 2 (aOR 1.24: 95% CI 0.82-1.88) or trimester 3 (aOR 1.20: 95% CI 0.99-1.45). The odds of PGP in pregnancy increased with increasing numbers of positive answers to the 5PQ (p for linear trend < 0.001) for the entire pregnancy and in trimester 1 (p for linear trend < 0.001), but not in trimesters 2 or 3 (p = 0.13 and p = 0.06, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to women with normal joint mobility, women with GJH had higher odds of reporting PGP during pregnancy and the odds increased with number of positive responses to the 5PQ. The associations were present in trimester 1 but did not reach statistical significance in trimester 2 and 3.

Occurrence of combined pain in the lumbar spine, pelvic girdle and pubic symphysis among pregnant women in the extreme south of Brazil. / Ocorrência de dor combinada na coluna lombar, cintura pélvica e sínfise púbica entre gestantes do extremo sul do Brasil.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and characterize the occurrence of low back pain (LBP), posterior pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) and pubic symphysis pain (PSP) among pregnant women resident in Rio Grande, RS. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of all postpartum women who gave birth in 2016. Two pictures were used to investigate the presence of LBP, PPGP and PSP, both isolated and combined. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors associated with each symptom. RESULTS: LBP was reported by 42.2%, PSP by 4.9%, and PPGP by 2%, while LBP + PSP was reported by 9%, LBP and PPGP by 2.8% and PPGP + PSP by 1.1%, and pain in all three regions was reported by 3.9% of the sample. The more advanced the age of the pregnant women, the risk for LBP and of LBP combined with one of the pelvic girdle regions was reduced, while the risk for PPGP + PSP was increased. Depression during pregnancy increased the risk for all symptom combinations. CONCLUSION: This study provided a detailed description of the occurrence of the evaluated outcomes and its associated factors. Studies like this are rare in Brazil, especially a census with low rates of losses and refusals. The high prevalence of the evaluated symptoms suggests that it should be investigated routinely in prenatal care, taking into account the age of the pregnant women, depressive symptoms and those experiencing combined or intense pain.