Prevalence of unreported bowel symptoms in women with pelvic floor dysfunction and the impact on their quality of life.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Little information is available on the recurrent coexistence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary (UI) and/or anal (AI) incontinence and defecatory dysfunctions and the relationship between these disorders. The purpose of this study is to report the prevalence, bother, and impact on quality of life (QoL) of unreported bowel symptoms in women presenting to a Brazilian tertiary urogynecology clinic. METHODS: The study was a cross-section survey of 172 patients with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders (PFD). Patients who reported any defecatory and/or continence disorders were included in the study group, and the others were included in the control group. Patients with UI were also compared with those with double incontinence (DI): AI and UI. Univariate analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous nonparametric data. RESULTS: After the interview, 54.6 % (n = 94) of patients presented AI and/or defecatory disorders: 67.0 % constipation, 41.4 % AI, and 34.0 % fecal urgency. Women from the study group scored worse in the QoL questionnaires compared with women from the control group. Among women with UI, 23.21 % had associated AI. Women with DI scored worse in the QoL questionnaires. CONCLUSION: Anal and urinary dysfunctions are usually associated and have a great impact on a woman's QoL. An integrated approach across specialties should lead to improved patient care. Therefore, our study is relevant because it emphasizes the importance of urogynecologists routinely investigating such symptoms. To do so, standardized questionnaires should be included in the evaluation of all these patients.

Women know about perineal trauma risk but do not know how to prevent it: Knowledge, attitude, and practice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) preparation for birth among postpartum women, and its related factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in a maternity unit among Brazilian women aged 14 years or older during the first 72 h postpartum, who desired and had vaginal birth. Sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric data were collected using a standardized form from medical charts. A 15-question questionnaire was used to measure the KAP of PFM preparation for birth. Knowledge was categorized as: poor, average, and good. RESULTS: In all, 326 women completed the survey (mean age 24.3 ± 6.2 years) and 167 (51.2%) women had poor knowledge. The attitude of searching for information on how to prevent perineal trauma was reported by 14 (4.3%) women. Only 13 (4.0%) participants reported that they had practiced at least one session of PFM preparation during pregnancy (PFM training, perineal massage, etc.) Multivariate analysis showed that lower educational level was associated with poor knowledge (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The KAP of PFM preparation for birth is inadequate among postpartum women. Health education regarding PFM care during pregnancy and postpartum should be addressed among pregnant women, specifically younger women with lower levels of education and income.

Impact of verbal instructions on pelvic floor contraction in the immediate postpartum / Impacto das instruções verbais na contração do assoalho pélvico no puerpério imediato

Abstract Introduction: Pregnancy predisposes the emergence of pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD), postpartum being the opportune moment to assess these muscles. Objective: To investigate the effect of instructions and verbal feedback on the contraction capacity of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in postpartum women. Methods: Quasi-experimental study with 109 women in the immediate vaginal postpartum at a reference maternity hospital in Fortaleza, Ceará state, Brazil. PFM were visually inspected using the visual contraction scale (0 = no visible contraction; 1 = weak visible contraction; 2 = visible contraction with perineal elevation), in addition to observing the use of accessory muscles and movements. Assessments occurred in consecutive moments: 1 - PFM contraction at a verbal command; 2 - contraction after instructions on structure, function and correct contraction; and 3 - contraction after feedback on the use of accessory muscles and reinforcement of correct contraction. Cochran's Q test and a 5% significance level were used to compare the outcomes between different moments. Results: At the first assessment, 15.6% of the postpartum women did not exhibit visible PFM contraction (grade 0). Of these, 70.5% changed their contraction grade after instructions and feedback. At the end, 45.9% of women correctly contracted their PFM with perineal elevation (grade 2) (p < 000.1). The use of accessory muscles (abductors, abdominals and gluteal) declined after instructions and feedback (p < 000.1). Perineal trauma, forceps delivery, previous information and fear of feeling pain were not associated with contraction grade. Conclusion: Instructions and verbal feedback are useful tools for correct PMF contraction in the immediate postpartum.

Resumo Introdução: A gestação predispõe o surgimento de disfunções do assoalho pélvico (DAP), sendo o pós-parto momento oportuno para avaliar essa musculatura. Objetivo: Investigar o efeito das instruções e feedback verbais na capacidade de contração dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (MAP) em puérperas. Métodos: Estudo quase-experimental com 109 mulheres no pós-parto vaginal imediato em uma maternidade de referência em Fortaleza-CE. Realizou-se inspeção visual dos MAP pela escala visual de contração (0 = nenhuma contração visível; 1 = contração visível fraca; 2 = contração visível com elevação perineal), além de observação da utilização de musculatura e movimentos acessórios. As avaliações foram em momentos consecutivos: 1 - contração dos MAP ao comando verbal; 2 - contração após instruções sobre estrutura, função e correta contração; e 3 - contração após feedback sobre a utilização de musculatura acessória e reforço da correta contração. Para comparação dos desfechos entre os momentos foi utilizado o teste Q de Cochran e significância de 5%. Resultados: No primeiro momento, 15,6% das puérperas não apresentaram contração visível dos MAP (grau 0). Dessas, 70,5% modificaram o grau de contração após instruções e feedback. Ao final, 45,9% das mulheres contraíram corretamente os MAP com elevação perineal (grau 2) (p < 000,1). A utilização de músculos acessórios (adutores, abdominais e glúteos) diminuiu após instruções e feedback (p < 000,1). Trauma perineal, parto a fórceps, informações prévias e medo de sentir dor não se associaram ao grau de contração. Conclusão: Instruções e feedback verbais são ferramentas úteis para contração correta dos MAP no pós-parto imediato.

Comparação entre oxibutinina, eletroestimulação do nervo tibial posterior e exercícios perineais no tratamento da síndrome da bexiga hiperativa / Comparación entre oxibutinina, electroestimulación del nervio tibial posterior y ejercicios perineales en el tratamiento del síndrome de la vejiga hiperactiva / Comparison of oxybutynin, electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve and perineal exercises in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a eficácia dos exercícios perineais, da eletroestimulação transcutânea do nervo tibial posterior (ETNTP) e da oxibutinina em mulheres com síndrome da bexiga hiperativa, que é a segunda causa mais comum de incontinência urinária, com sintomas urinários extremamente incômodos que prejudicam a qualidade de vida. Foram randomizadas 65 mulheres, das quais 57 completaram o tratamento. Formaram-se três grupos: o de exercícios perineais, ETNTP e o grupo controle, que utilizou oxibutinina. Os exercícios foram realizados em grupo, nas posições em pé, supino e sentado, duas vezes por semana, com duração de 30 minutos cada sessão, totalizando 12 sessões. Na ETNTP utilizou-se eletrodo transcutâneo posicionado em maléolo medial e outro 10cm acima, com frequência de 10Hz e largura de pulso de 200 microssegundos, por 30 minutos, duas vezes por semana, totalizando 12 sessões. Na medicação as pacientes receberam oxibutinina de 10mg/dia de liberação imediata divididos e duas doses de 5mg/dia, durante 12 semanas consecutivas. Antes e depois dos tratamentos, as pacientes passaram por uma avaliação composta pela análise do diário miccional, avaliação funcional do assoalho pélvico e aplicação de questionário de qualidade de vida OAB-V8. Houve redução da incontinência de urgência em 50%, 70,5% e 41% nos grupos de exercício, ETNTP e oxibutinina, respectivamente, com significância estatística somente da eletroestimulação. As três modalidades de tratamento foram eficazes na melhora da qualidade de vida para a terapêutica em curto prazo, estatisticamente semelhantes entre si.

RESUMEN Se evaluó la eficacia de los ejercicios perineales, de la electroestimulación transcutánea del nervio tibial posterior (ETNTP) y de la oxibutinina en mujeres con síndrome de la vejiga hiperactiva, la segunda causa más común de incontinencia urinaria, con síntomas muy incómodos, que perjudican la calidad de vida. Sesenta y cinco mujeres, de las cuales 57 completaron el tratamiento, formaron tres grupos: el de ejercicios perineales, ETNTP y el grupo de control, que utilizó oxibutinina. Los ejercicios se realizaron en grupo, en las posiciones en pie, supino y sentado, dos veces por semana, con duración de 30 minutos cada sesión, totalizando 12 sesiones. En la ETNTP se utilizó electrodo transcutáneo posicionado en el maléolo medial y otro 10 cm arriba, con frecuencia de 10Hz y ancho de pulso de 200 microsegundos, por 30 minutos, dos veces por semana, totalizando 12 sesiones. En la medicación las pacientes recibieron oxibutinina de 10 mg/día de liberación inmediata, divididos en dos dosis de 5mg/día, durante 12 semanas consecutivas. Antes y después de los tratamientos, las pacientes pasaron por una evaluación compuesta por el análisis del diario miccional, la evaluación funcional del piso pélvico y la aplicación del cuestionario de calidad de vida OAB-V8. Se observó una reducción de la incontinencia de urgencia en un 50%, 70,5% y 41% en los grupos de ejercicio, ETNTP y oxibutinina, respectivamente, con significancia estadística solamente de la electroestimulación. Las tres modalidades de tratamiento fueron eficaces en la mejora de la calidad de vida para la terapéutica a corto plazo y estadísticamente similares.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of perineal exercises, transcutaneous electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve (TPTNS) and oxybutynin in women with overactive bladder syndrome, which is the second most common cause of urinary incontinence, with extremely uncomfortable urinary symptoms which impair their quality of life. A total of 65 women were randomized, of whom 57 completed treatment. Three groups were formed: the perineal exercises group, the TPTNS group and the control group, which used oxybutynin. The exercises were performed in groups, in the standing, supine and sitting positions, twice a week in 30-minute sessions, totaling 12 sessions. In the TPTNS group, carried out with 10Hz frequency and 200 microsecond pulse width, a transcutaneous electrode was positioned on the patients' medial malleolus, and another was positioned 10cm above it. The patients of the control group received 10 mg/day doses of immediate release oxybutynin, divided into two 5mg/day doses for 12 consecutive weeks. Before and after the treatments, the patients' voiding diary was analyzed, their pelvic floor was functionally evaluated and they were asked to fill in an OAB-V8 quality of life questionnaire. Urge incontinence was reduced by 50%, 70.5% and 41% in the exercises, TPTNS and oxybutynin groups, respectively, and statistical significance was detected for stimulation only. The three treatment modalities were effective for improving quality of life in the short-term therapy, and were statistically similar to each other.

O prolapso genital associado à incontinência urinária de esforço altera a função muscular do assoalho pélvico? / The association between pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence changes the pelvic fl oor muscle function?

Prolapso genital é defi nido como deslocamento dasvísceras pélvicas em sentido caudal. Trata-se de afecção comum,especialmente em mulheres menopausadas e, não obstante, podeestar associado à incontinência urinária de esforço (IUE). Estudosmostram que mulheres com prolapso genital possuem funçãomuscular do assoalho pélvico diminuída. Objetivo: Verifi car se hádiferença entre a função dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (MAP)de mulheres incontinentes com ou sem prolapso genital. Métodos:Participaram dessa pesquisa 24 voluntárias divididas em dois grupos,a saber: Grupo I composto por 12 mulheres com IUE associada aoprolapso genital; e Grupo II, composto por 12 mulheres com IUEe sem prolapso genital associado. Avaliou-se a função dos MAP pormeio de palpação bidigital, utilizando-se as escalas de AvaliaçãoFuncional do Assoalho Pélvico (AFA) e Oxford, teste de tempomáximo de contração (endurance) e exame com perineômetro. Paraa análise estatística, utilizou-se o test t de Student, para comparar asmédias obtidas e o nível de signifi cância. Resultados: as mulheres comprolapso genital associado apresentaram menor AFA (p = 0,043),Oxford (p = 0,043) e tempo de sustentação da contração mensuradopelo perineômetro (p = 0,044). Conclusão: mulheres incontinentescom prolapso genital apresentam menor função muscular e menortempo de sustentação da contração...

Pelvic organ prolapse is defi ned as pelvic viscera displacementin caudal direction. In menopausal women is particularlycommon and it can be associated with stress urinary incontinence(SIU). Studies show that in women with pelvic organ prolapse,the pelvic fl oor muscle (PFM) function loses strength. Aim: Toverify if there is any diff erence between the function of the pelvicfl oor muscles (PFM) of incontinent women with or without pelvicorgan prolapse. Methods: Twenty four patients were divided intotwo groups: Group I with 12 women with SUI and Group II, with12 women with SUI associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Th efunction of PFM was evaluated using bidigital palpation, measuredby Functional Pelvic Floor Evaluation (AFA) and Oxford scales,maximum time of contraction test (endurance) and perineometerexam. Regarding the statistical analysis, the student test t was usedto compare the means and signifi cance level. Results: Women withpelvic organ prolapse associated showed lower AFA (p = 0,043),Oxford (p = 0,043) and holding contraction time measured byperineometer (p = 0,044). Conclusion: Incontinent women withpelvic organ prolapse showed lower PFM function and decrease ofmuscular endurance...