Sexual violence in sport: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement.

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) convened a group of experts to develop a Position Statement addressing the problem of sexual violence in sport. The AMSSM Sexual Violence in Sport Task Force held a series of meetings over 7 months, beginning in July 2019. Following a literature review, the Task Force used an iterative process and expert consensus to finalise the Position Statement. The objective of this Position Statement is to raise awareness of this critical issue among sports medicine physicians and to declare a commitment to engage in collaborative, multidisciplinary solutions to reduce sexual violence in sport.

Sexual Violence in Sport: Expanding Awareness and Knowledge for Sports Medicine Providers.

ABSTRACT: Athletes are vulnerable to sexual violence. Perpetrators of sexual violence may be a trusted coach, a member of the health care team, or a peer. The consequences of sexual violence are wide ranging, resulting in immediate and long-term physical and mental health outcomes that require recognition and comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. Sports medicine providers need to have specific knowledge and skill to care for athletes who experience sexual violence. Several sports organizations (e.g., International Olympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Athletic Trainers' Association) have developed policies and procedures to prevent sexual violence and help sports medicine specialists provide care and services for athletes affected by sexual violence. Nevertheless, there remains a need for clinical guidelines, screening tools, and education, as well as clinical best practices to address sexual violence in sports medicine.

Body mass index versus bioelectrical impedance analysis for classifying physical function impairment in a racially diverse cohort of midlife women: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

BACKGROUND: Body composition strongly influences physical function in older adults. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) differentiates fat mass from skeletal muscle mass, and may be more useful than body mass index (BMI) for classifying women on their likelihood of physical function impairment. AIMS: This study tested whether BIA-derived estimates of percentage body fat (%BF) and height-normalized skeletal muscle mass (skeletal muscle mass index; SMI) enhance classification of physical function impairment relative to BMI. METHOD: Black, White, Chinese, and Japanese midlife women (N = 1482) in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) completed performance-based measures of physical function. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. %BF and SMI were derived through BIA. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, conducted in the overall sample and stratified by racial group, evaluated optimal cutpoints of BMI, %BF, and SMI for classifying women on moderate-severe physical function impairment. RESULTS: In the overall sample, a BMI cutpoint of ≥ 30.1 kg/m2 correctly classified 71.1% of women on physical function impairment, and optimal cutpoints for %BF (≥ 43.4%) and SMI (≥ 8.1 kg/m2) correctly classified 69% and 62% of women, respectively. SMI did not meaningfully enhanced classification relative to BMI (change in area under the ROC curve = 0.002; net reclassification improvement = 0.021; integrated discrimination improvement = - 0.003). Optimal cutpoints for BMI, %BF, and SMI varied substantially across race. Among Black women, a %BF cutpoint of 43.9% performed somewhat better than BMI (change in area under the ROC curve = 0.017; sensitivity = 0.69, specificity = 0.64). CONCLUSION: Some race-specific BMI and %BF cutpoints have moderate utility for identifying impaired physical function among midlife women.

Partnering with Churches to Conduct a Wide-Scale Health Screening of an Urban, Segregated Community.

West Side Alive (WSA) is a partnership among pastors, church members and health researchers with the goal of improving health in the churches and surrounding community in the West Side of Chicago, a highly segregated African American area of Chicago with high rates of premature mortality and social disadvantage. To inform health intervention development, WSA conducted a series of health screenings that took place in seven partner churches. Key measures included social determinants of health and healthcare access, depression and PTSD screeners, and measurement of cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and hemoglobin A1C (A1C). A total of 1106 adults were screened, consisting of WSA church members (n = 687), members of the local community served by the church (n = 339) and 80 individuals with unknown church status. Mean age was 52.8 years, 57% were female, and 67% reported at least one social risk factor (e.g. food insecurity). Almost all participants had at least one cardiovascular risk factor (92%), including 50% with obesity, 79% with elevated blood pressure and 65% with elevated A1C. A third of participants experienced ≥ 4 potentially traumatic events and 26% screened positive for depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder. Participants were given personalized health reports and referred to services as needed. Information from the screenings will be used to inform the design of interventions targeting the West Side community and delivered in partnership with the churches. Sharing these results helped mobilize community members to improve their own health and the health of their community.

Sexual Violence in Sport: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement.

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) convened a group of experts to develop a Position Statement addressing the problem of sexual violence in sport. The AMSSM Sexual Violence in Sport Task Force held a series of meetings over 7 months, beginning in July 2019. Following a literature review, the task force used an iterative process and expert consensus to finalize the Position Statement. The objective of this Position Statement is to raise awareness of this critical issue among sports medicine physicians and to declare a commitment to engage in collaborative, multidisciplinary solutions to reduce sexual violence in sport.

Sexual Violence in Sport: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement.

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) convened a group of experts to develop a Position Statement addressing the problem of sexual violence in sport. The AMSSM Sexual Violence in Sport Task Force held a series of meetings over 7 months, beginning in July 2019. Following a literature review, the task force used an iterative process and expert consensus to finalize the position statement. The objective of this position statement is to raise awareness of this critical issue among sports medicine physicians and to declare a commitment to engage in collaborative, multidisciplinary solutions to reduce sexual violence in sport.

Physical therapy for chronic scrotal content pain with associated pelvic floor pain on digital rectal exam.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic scrotal content pain (CSCP) is a common condition that can be challenging to manage definitively. A cohort of patients with CSCP have referred pain from myofascial abnormalities of the pelvic floor and therefore require treatment modalities that specifically address the pelvic floor such as pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all men with a pelvic floor component of CSCP presenting to our tertiary care medical center and undergoing PFPT from 2011-2014. Patients with CSCP and pain/tightness on pelvic floor evaluation with 360° digital rectal exam (DRE) were referred to a physiotherapist for PFPT. CSCP was defined as primary unilateral or bilateral pain of the testicle, epididymis and/or spermatic cord that was constant or intermittent, lasted greater than 3 months, and significantly interfered with daily activities. Long term follow up was conducted by office visit and physical therapy chart review. RESULTS: Thirty patients, mean age of 42 years (range 18-75), were followed for a median of 13 months (range 3-48). Median pre-PFPT pain score was 6/10 (range 2-10). After a mean of 12 PFPT sessions (IQR 6-16), pain improved in 50.0% of patients, median decrease in pain was 4.5/10 (range 1-10). Complete resolution of pain occurred in 13.3%, 44.0% had none to minor residual pain. Following PFPT, fewer subjects required pain medication compared with prior to PFPT (44.0% versus 73.3%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: For men with CSCP and a positive pelvic floor exam with DRE, we recommend a trial of PFPT as an effective and non-operative treatment modality.

Chronic pain, body mass index and cardiovascular disease risk factors: tests of moderation, unique and shared relationships in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

Chronic pain may be related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The current study examined whether persistent bodily pain was related to cardiovascular disease risk factors, whether these effects were moderated by body mass index (BMI), and, if not, whether chronic pain accounted for unique variance in CVD risk factors. Participants were women (N = 2,135) in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. A high pain frequency variable (high pain in 0 through 4 assessments) was coded to reflect the frequency of high levels of bodily pain across the first 3 years of the study. Six CVD risk factors and BMI were measured at follow-up year 3. High pain frequency and BMI were correlated significantly with risk factors, although effects for the former were small. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed high pain frequency × BMI interactions for 5 of 6 CVD risk factors. Dissecting the interactions revealed a similar pattern across 4 risk factors: for women with normal BMI, there was a "dose-response" in which increasing frequency of high pain revealed increasingly worse CVD risk factor levels, whereas for women with obese BMI, high pain frequency was unrelated to risk factors. For obese women, increasing frequency of high pain was associated with higher blood glucose. Although BMI is a well-established CVD risk factor, evaluation of CVD risk level may be improved by considering the incidence of persistent pain, particularly in normal weight women (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)) lower BMI.

Body image satisfaction and depression in midlife women: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

With aging, women's bodies undergo changes that can affect body image perception, yet little is known about body image in midlife. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between body image and depressive symptoms in Caucasian and African-American midlife women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Chicago site. Body image was measured using the Stunkard Adult Female Figure Rating Scale, and a clinically significant level of depressive symptoms was defined as Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score of ≥16 (N=405; N=63 (15.6%) with clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms). Differences between perceived actual, perceived ideal, and actual body size and responses to questions concerning weight satisfaction and attractiveness were examined using logistic regression for associations with a CES-D score of ≥16. Women with body image dissatisfaction (odds ratio (OR)=1.91; p=0.04) or who perceived themselves as "unattractive" (OR=7.74; p<0.01) had higher odds of CES-D of ≥16. We found no significant difference by race. Our results were not confounded by BMI. These results suggest that midlife women with poor body image may be more likely to have clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms. Larger prospective studies are needed to better understand this association.

Correlates of 15-year maintenance of physical activity in middle-aged women.

BACKGROUND: Interventions to increase sustained physical activity are needed and should be based on proven theories. PURPOSE: To gain a better understanding of the correlates of sustained physical activity in midlife women, we used longitudinal epidemiologic data to investigate links between sustained physical activity and constructs advocated by three basic behavioral and social science theories: (1) self-determination, (2) social cognitive, and (3) social networks. A random sample of 90 midlife women, stratified by level of physical activity over 15 years, was selected from the Chicago cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). METHODS: Using data on self-reported physical activity collected over 15 years, women were categorized into consistently active, sporadically active, and sedentary. New data were collected on theory-relevant constructs, i.e., autonomous motivation (assessed by the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire) and self-efficacy (assessed by the Self-Efficacy and Exercise Habits Survey). Every SWAN woman identified a close female friend who also completed the physical activity questionnaire. RESULTS: SWAN women with higher autonomous motivation (p = 0.002) and higher self-efficacy (p < 0.001) were more likely to be consistently physically active in analyses adjusted for age, race, and socioeconomic status. Sixty-one percent of SWAN women with a history of consistent physical activity had a friend who is currently highly active, versus 38 and 23 % for sporadically active and sedentary women, respectively (test for trend p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: In midlife women, constructs advocated by basic behavioral and social science theories were consistent with long-term patterns of physical activity behavior. Special focus should be given to these basic theories in the design of interventions to promote sustained physical activity in mid-life women.

The association of urinary incontinence and disability among a diverse sample of midlife Study of Women's Health Across the Nation women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to examine whether urinary incontinence (UI) type, frequency, and amount are associated with self-reported disability in a racially/ethnically diverse cohort of community-dwelling midlife women. METHODS: Data were from longitudinal analyses of questionnaires from the multicenter, prospective cohort Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). We used multivariable ordinal logistic regression to examine whether urinary incontinence type, frequency, and amount at the 13th follow-up were associated with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule at the 15th follow-up controlling for other factors (menopause status, body mass index, lifestyle and psychosocial factors, and disability at follow-up 13). RESULTS: Urinary incontinence was associated with subsequent reports of disability in participants, particularly in the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule domains of mobility ( P < 0.0001), communication ( P = 0.0057), and life activities ( P = 0.0407). Associations were strongest for mixed UI type compared with stress UI or urgency UI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-2.17, P < 0.001), daily frequency of UI compared with monthly or less than weekly frequency of UI (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.04-2.47, P < 0.001), and larger amounts of urine leakage compared with drops of leakage (OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.58-5.62, P < 0.0001) for mobility/getting around domain. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence seems to have a strong association with multiple domains of disability, including mobility and interacting with others, after approximately 3.7 years. Thus, UI may be an important factor limiting social engagement among women. Screening for mixed UI and UI that occurs greater than weekly and in amounts requiring pads may yield better information regarding an individual's future disability risk and may preserve social interaction.

Cardiovascular Health, Race, and Decline in Cognitive Function in Midlife Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive decline may progress for decades before dementia onset. Better cardiovascular health (CVH) has been related to less cognitive decline, but it is unclear whether this begins early, for all racial subgroups, and all domains of cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of CVH on decline in the 2 domains of cognition that decline first in White and Black women at midlife. METHODS AND RESULTS: Subjects were 363 Black and 402 White women, similar in baseline age (mean±SD, 46.6±3.0 years) and education (15.7±2.0 years), from the Chicago site of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Cognition, measured as processing speed and working memory, was assessed annually or biennially over a maximum of 20 years (mean±SD, 9.8±6.7 years). CVH was measured as Life's Essential 8 (blood pressure, body mass index, glucose, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, physical activity, diet, sleep). Hierarchical linear mixed models identified predictors of cognitive decline with progressive levels of adjustment. There was a decline in processing speed that was explained by race, age, and the 3-way interaction of race, CVH, and time (F1,4308=8.8, P=0.003). CVH was unrelated to decline in White women but in Black women poorer CVH was associated with greater decline. Working memory did not decline in the total cohort, by race, or by CVH. CONCLUSIONS: In midlife Black women, CVH promotion may be a target for preventing the beginnings of cognitive decline, thereby enhancing independent living with aging.

Race/Ethnicity and Incidence of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Midlife Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects a considerable proportion of women. Limited information exists regarding the incidence of POP as women transition through menopause. Using data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), this diverse community-based longitudinal cohort study assessed the incidence of symptomatic POP and risk by race/ethnicity. Methods: Self-reported POP was ascertained by questionnaire at 11 approximately annual SWAN visits over a median of 13.3 years of follow-up. We estimated probabilities for reporting POP using interval-censored Kaplan-Meier survival plots. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using interval-censored Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The estimated cumulative probability of POP increased linearly from 2.1% at age 45 to 10.1% by age 65 (4.0% per decade). At age 65, the probability was 4.2%, 4.8%, 8.9%, 9.7%, and 33.9% for Japanese, Chinese, Black, White, and Hispanic women, respectively. Compared with White women, the unadjusted HR for POP was 3.09 (95% CI = 2.18-4.39), 0.96 (0.71-1.31), 0.43 (0.22-0.85), and 0.48 (0.26-0.88) for Hispanic, Black, Chinese, and Japanese women, respectively. After adjustment for financial strain and vaginal birth, the low hazards among Chinese and Japanese women and the high hazard for Hispanic women remained significant. Conclusion: Incidence of symptomatic POP increased as women aged through midlife. Risks varied by race and ethnicity and were not accounted for by population differences in socioeconomic life contexts or the probability of having had a vaginal birth. Although not associated with menopause, health providers should incorporate screening for and information about POP when treating menopausal symptoms and health needs of midlife women. Research on pathophysiological factors associated with increasing POP in midlife is warranted.

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Midlife Women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Objectives: Research has shown a link between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and lower urinary tract and sexual disorders in clinical settings. We examined whether CSA was associated with two specific aspects of high tone, elevated resting tension pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in community-dwelling women. Materials and Methods: Data were from 2068 participants (25.5% Black, 9.6% Chinese, 10.8% Japanese, 5.0% Hispanic, and 49.1% Non-Hispanic White) in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a multirace/multiethnic longitudinal observational study of women's midlife health. At baseline, enrolled women were 42-52 years old and premenopausal or early perimenopausal. Annual or biennial assessments conducted over 20 years (1996 through 2017) included single-item queries about urgency urinary incontinence and pain with sexual activity used to assess PFD outcomes. The 12th follow-up visit conducted in 2009-2011 assessed the primary exposure, history of CSA, using a single-item response. Multivariate logistic regression models tested study objectives. Results: The prevalence of CSA was 15%, self-reported in 313/2068 women. CSA and PFD, both pain with sexual activity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56 confidence interval [95% CI = 1.12-2.18]) and urgency urinary incontinence (OR = 1.87 [95% CI = 1.29-2.71]), were significantly associated in unadjusted models. The final adjusted model that included sociodemographic variables and physical and behavioral risk factors was significant for pain with sexual activity (OR = 1.48 [95% CI = 1.08-2.02]), but not for urgency urinary incontinence (OR = 1.38 [95% CI = 0.96-1.98]). Conclusions: In midlife women, pain with sex, but not urgency urinary incontinence, was associated with a history of CSA. A multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach to PFD is key, inclusive of CSA screening.

"You Just Have to Keep It Movin':" Perceptions of Physical Function Limitations in an African American Health Ministry.

Physical function (PF) limitations are common in aging. However, there is a dearth of interventions focused on addressing PF limitations in community-based settings, particularly in minoritized communities. To guide intervention development, we conducted focus groups to understand perceptions of PF limitations, gauge intervention interest, and identify potential intervention strategies as part of a large health partnership of African American churches in Chicago, IL. Participants were age 40+ years with self-reported PF limitations. Focus groups (N=6 focus groups; N=40 participants) were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis methods.Six themes were identified: (1) causes of PF limitations, (2) impact of PF limitations, (3) terminology and communication, (4) adaptations and treatments, (5) faith and resilience, and (6) prior program experiences. Participants described how PF limitations affected their ability to live a full life and play an active role in their family, church, and community. Faith and prayer aided in coping with limitations and pain. Participants expressed that it is important to keep moving, both from an emotional (not giving up) and physical (to prevent further exacerbation of limitations) standpoint. Some participants shared adaptation and modification strategies, but there were overall frustrations with communicating regarding PF limitations and obtaining medical care for them. Participants expressed that they would like to have programs in their church focused on improving PF (including physical activity), particularly as their communities often lacked resources conducive to being active. Community-based programs focusing on reducing PF limitations are needed, and the church is a potentially receptive setting.

Pre- and Early Peri-menopausal Physical Function and Risk of Cardiovascular Events: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether physical function (PF) before menopause is related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. METHODS: Participants were N = 2950 pre-/early peri-menopausal women (median age 46, (25th-75th percentile: 43-48 years). Physical function was assessed at baseline using the Physical Function subscale of the SF-36 and scores were trichotomized (no, some, or substantial limitations). Clinical CVD events were ascertained at annual/biennial clinical assessments through the 15th follow-up visit. Risk of CVD was determined with Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Women were followed for a median of 19.1 years, during which 220 women had a CVD event. In fully adjusted models, women with substantial limitations at baseline had higher CVD risk compared to women with no limitations (hazards ratio [HR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-2.33). Discussion: Substantial PF limitations in pre- and early peri-menopausal women are associated with higher risk of clinical CVD events, consistent with literature in older adults.

Patterns of Sexual Activity and the Development of Sexual Pain Across the Menopausal Transition.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether patterns of sexual intercourse frequency and demographic, menopausal status, genitourinary, health, and psychosocial factors are associated with developing sexual pain across the menopausal transition. METHODS: These were longitudinal analyses of questionnaire data from the multicenter, multiracial and ethnic prospective cohort SWAN (Study of Women's Health Across the Nation) (1995-2008). We used multivariable discrete-time proportional hazards models to examine whether incident sexual pain was associated with preceding long-term (up to 10 visits) or short-term (two and three visits) sexual intercourse frequency patterns or other factors (eg, menopause status, genitourinary symptoms, lifestyle factors, and mental health). RESULTS: Of the 2,247 women with no sexual pain at baseline, 1,087 (48.4%) developed sexual pain at least "sometimes" up to 10 follow-up visits over 13 years. We found no consistent association between prior patterns of sexual intercourse frequency and development of sexual pain. For example, neither decreases in intercourse frequency from baseline (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.93, 95% CI 0.73-1.19) nor decreases in frequency over three prior visits (aHR 1.00, 95% CI 0.72-1.41) were associated with incident pain. Reasons for interruptions in intercourse activity at the prior visit, including lack of interest (aHR 1.64, 95% CI 0.74-3.65) and relationship issues (aHR 0.36, 95% CI 0.04-2.88), were not associated with developing pain. Being postmenopausal using hormone therapy (aHR 3.16, 95% CI 1.46-6.85), and reported vaginal dryness (aHR 3.73, 95% CI 2.88-4.83) were most strongly associated with incident sexual pain. CONCLUSION: Long-term and short-term declines in sexual intercourse frequency across the menopausal transition were not associated with increased hazard of developing pain with intercourse. This empirical evidence does not support the common belief that a reduction in women's sexual frequency is responsible for their symptoms of sexual pain.

Physical Function in Midlife and Older Adults From an African American Church-Based Health Screening.

INTRODUCTION: Limitations in physical function are predictive of adverse health outcomes, and screening has been recommended in clinical settings for older adults. Rarely assessed in community-based settings, physical function could provide insight for tailoring health-related community-based programs and raise awareness about this important aspect of health. This cross-sectional study seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating physical function assessments into health screenings in African American churches in Chicago, Illinois, through a large health partnership and to determine the prevalence and correlates of physical function limitations among midlife (aged 40-59 years) and late-life (aged ≥60 years) participants. METHODS: Screenings were held in 7 churches in Spring 2018. Physical function was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery. Demographics, medical history, health status, and health behaviors were assessed. Age-stratified logistic regression identified independent associations with physical function limitations (Score ≤9) among midlife and late-life participants (data were analyzed in 2018-2019). RESULTS: Among 731 participants (median age=57 [IQR=51-65] years, 58% women, 97% African American), 25% of midlife and 56% of late-life participants had physical function limitations. For midlife participants, fair/poor health (OR=1.83, 95% CI=1.10, 3.05), stroke/neurologic conditions (OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.07, 5.46), and arthritis (OR=2.25, 95% CI=1.32, 3.81) were associated with higher odds of limitations. Fair/poor health (OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.11, 3.50) and stroke/neurologic conditions (OR=7.85, 95% CI=2.22, 27.74) were related to limitations among late-life participants. CONCLUSIONS: Physical function screening was successfully implemented into this large-scale church-based health screening program. Physical function limitations were prevalent, particularly at midlife; this information will be used to guide future programs.

It Takes a Village: The First 100 Patients Seen in a Multidisciplinary Pelvic Floor Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the characteristics of patients assessed and treated at a multidisciplinary pelvic floor program that includes representatives from multiple specialties. Our goal is to describe the process from triaging patients to the actual collaborative delivery of care. This study examines the factors contributing to the success of our multidisciplinary clinic as evidenced by its ongoing viability. METHODS: This is a descriptive study retrospectively analyzing a prospectively maintained database that included the first 100 patients seen in the Program for Abdominal and Pelvic Health clinic between December 2017 and October 2018. We examined patient demographics, their concerns, and care plan including diagnostic tests, findings, treatments, referrals, and return visits. RESULTS: The clinic met twice monthly, and the first 100 patients were seen over the course of 10 months. The most common primary symptoms were pelvic pain (45), constipation (30), bladder incontinence (27), bowel incontinence (23), high tone pelvic floor dysfunction (23), and abdominal pain (23); most patients had more than one presenting symptom (76). The most common specialties seen at the first visit to the clinic included gastroenterology (56%), followed by physical medicine and rehabilitation (45%), physical therapy (31%), female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (25%), behavioral health (19%), urology (18%), and colorectal surgery (13%). Eleven patients were entirely new to our hospital system. Most patients had diagnostic tests ordered and performed. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary clinic for abdominal and pelvic health proves a sustainable model for comprehensive treatment for patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, including difficulties with defecation, urination, sexual dysfunction, and pain.

Associations of accelerometer-determined sedentary behavior and physical activity with physical performance outcomes by race/ethnicity in older women.

To determine the cross-sectional associations of accelerometer-measured time spent in physical activity intensity categories (sedentary, low and high light intensity, or moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) with physical performance outcomes [stair climb ascent, 40 foot walk test, and short physical performance battery (SPPB)] in older women and examine differences by race/ethnicity. Data were from 1,256 Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) participants [aged 64.9 (2.7) years at Visit 15 (2015-16); 54.1% non-White]. Three sets of adjusted multivariable linear or logistic regression models were built to test the study objectives using the backward elimination approach to identify relevant covariates. In the full analytic sample, a 10 min increment in MVPA was related to faster performance on the stair climb [ß = -0.023 (95% CI: -0.04, -0.005) seconds] and 40 foot walk test [ß = -0.066 (95% CI: -0.133, -0.038) seconds], and a 9% lower odds [OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.87, 0.96; p = 0.004] of limitations based on the SPPB. Statistically significant differences by race/ethnicity were found for the stair climb ascent time as MVPA was associated with better performance for White, Chinese, and Japanese participants while high light intensity physical activity, but not MVPA, was deemed beneficial in Black women. Findings from the isotemporal substitution models were consistent. Findings further support the importance of MVPA on physical performance outcomes in older women. Further research is needed to examine the complex associations between physical (in)activity and physical performance outcomes by race/ethnicity to provide more targeted recommendations.