Evidence for increased tone or overactivity of pelvic floor muscles in pelvic health conditions: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Pelvic floor muscle tone, which includes active and passive components, is argued to be increased in many pelvic health conditions, including those involving pain. This study systematically reviewed evidence for increased pelvic floor muscle tone in pelvic health conditions. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase) were searched up to May 31, 2021. The search strategy included variants of pelvic and/or floor, muscle, and tone using keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies were included if they investigated increased tone of the pelvic floor muscle and reported measures of active or mechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscle in humans with any pelvic health condition, including pain, bowel, urogenital, or sexual dysfunctions. Studies of any design were included, except systematic and narrative reviews. Reference lists of studies, reviews, and book chapters were searched for additional studies. METHODS: Data were extracted using a standardized form, including measurement tool and outcome measure. Risk of bias was analyzed using a modified ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions) tool, and a score was allocated to determine whether the study provided "convincing" interpretation (comparison with condition-free control group, valid measure, no application issues). RESULTS: In total, 151 studies were included, reporting 8 different tools (electromyography, dynamometry, manometry, digital palpation, defecography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, other). The most common pelvic health condition was pelvic pain (n=16 conditions), followed by bowel and urogenital conditions. Most studies (57%) were cross-sectional. A healthy control group was infrequently included for comparison (27%). Unvalidated methods or methods applied in a manner that precluded convincing interpretation were common (94%). Of the 15 measurement tools that provided convincing evidence, 10 demonstrated greater tone in a pelvic health condition (all pain) compared with controls, and 5 showed no difference. CONCLUSION: Despite the large literature, few studies provide convincing evidence for increased tone/overactivity of pelvic floor muscles in pelvic health conditions. Interpretation is hampered by design and measurement issues. Terminology was often inaccurate. Few studies investigate male, transgender, and pediatric groups.

Effect of different electrostimulation currents on female urinary incontinence: A protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) is characterized by involuntary urine leakage immediately after reporting of sudden, compelling desire to void. Electrostimulation and non-invasive neuromodulation have been considered as the first and third line of UUI treatment but there is a lack of consensus on which parameters are more efficient. Thus, this study aims to compare the effect of low versus medium frequency currents on urinary incontinence severity and quality of life in women with UUI complains. METHODS: It will be a randomized controlled trial with 5 arms, double-blinded (outcome assessor and statistician). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 11479119.9.0000.5406) and has been prospectively registered on the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-8bkkp6). Concerning, double-blind process, the blinded assessor will be responsible for evaluate primary and secondary outcomes at baseline and follow-up without information about allocation and the statistician will perform analyses without information about group codification. One hundred and five participants will be randomized to receive: (1) Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation-low frequency, (2) Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation-high frequency, (3) Aussie median frequency, (4) Interferencial median frequency or (5) High voltage stimulation. The application will be performed during 20 sessions of 45-minutes, twice a week for 10 weeks, in groups of maximum 5 participants. The participants will be evaluated before treatment (baseline- 0 week), during the treatment (5 weeks) and after the last treatment session (10 weeks). The primary outcomes measures will be UI severity and quality of life, and the secondary outcome will be pelvic floor strength. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS software version 24.0 for Windows (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). The variables will be described by the mean and 95% confidence interval. The distribution of normality will be analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk test. ANOVA for repeated measures will be performed. Mauchly's test the hypothesis of sphericity and when if this violated the hypotheses, the analyses will be based on the Greenhouse-Geisser test. Peer-to-peer comparisons will be performed using the Bonferroni Post-Hoc test. The significant level adopted will be 5% (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study will enhance knowledge about effect of different neuromodulation currents in the improvement of UUI.

Gestational diabetes is associated with alteration on pelvic floor muscle activation pattern during pregnancy and postpartum: Prospective cohort using electromyography assessment.

Background and objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a comorbidity which may cause acute and lifelong disorders to mother and child. Alterations in muscular and connective tissues have been associated with GDM in translation studies, characterizing gestational diabetic myopathy. Pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence and sexual disabilities, disorders that depend on the pelvic floor muscle (PFM) integrity, are also associated with GDM both during and after pregnancy. The aim was to compare PFM activation patterns between GDM and non-GDM women from 24-30 gestational weeks to 18-24 months postpartum during a standard clinical test during gestation and postpartum. Methods: We conducted a prospective three-time-point cohort study from gestation (24-30 weeks-T1, and 36-38 weeks-T2) to 18-24 months postpartum (T3). PFM electromyography was recorded in primigravida or primiparous women with one previous elective c-section with or without the diagnosis of GDM according to the American Diabetes Association criteria. A careful explanation of the muscle anatomy and functionality of the PFM was given to participants before EMG assessment. The outcome measures were PFM activation patterns assessed during pregnancy and postpartum, comparing intra and between groups. PFM activation patterns were assessed by normalized electromyography signal at rest and during 1-second (sec) phasic, 10-sec hold, and 60-sec sustained contractions. Results: Demographic and obstetric data showed homogeneity between groups. The GDM group achieved peak PFM EMG amplitudes similarly to the non-GDM group, but they took longer to return to baseline levels during the ~1-sec contraction (flicks). During 10-sec hold contractions, the GDM group sustained lower levels of PFM activation than the non-GDM group at both 36-38 weeks of gestation and 18-24 months postpartum when compared to the non-GDM group. Conclusion: The results suggest that GDM impaired PFM control mainly on 1-sec flicks and 10-sec hold contraction, which appears to develop during late pregnancy and extends long-term postpartum. This motor behavior may play a role on pelvic floor dysfunctions.

Relaxin-2 during pregnancy according to glycemia, continence status, and pelvic floor muscle function.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To investigate relaxin-2 concentration comparing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and non-GDM patients during pregnancy according to urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic function status. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study evaluating 282 pregnant women from 24 weeks of gestation. The participants were divided into two groups, non-GDM and GDM, according to American Diabetes Association's diabetes mellitus gestational threshold. In addition, according to subanalysis, both groups were subdivided according to the presence of pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence: non-GDM continent, non-GDM incontinent, GDM continent, and GDM incontinent. All participants filled in questionnaires on clinical, obstetric, and urinary continence status (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, ICIQ-SF, and Incontinence Severity Index, ISI), followed by pelvic floor muscle evaluation by the PERFECT scheme in which strength, endurance, and speed of contractions were evaluated. RESULTS: Serum relaxin-2 concentrations were significantly lower in pregnant women with pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence in both non-GDM and GDM patients, but GDM showed the lowest concentration. In addition, the stratification of the groups according to pelvic floor muscle strength showed that pregnant patients with GDM and modified Oxford scale 0-2 had significantly lower levels than those who were non-GDM and GDM with Modified Oxford Scale 3-5. Relaxin-2 level was much lower in GDM incontinent pregnant women with MOS 0-2 compared to the other three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lower relaxin-2 concentration was associated with the presence of pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence, but the combination of GDM, pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence, and lower levels of pelvic floor strength led to lower levels of relaxin-2 compared to the other three groups.

Prevalence and factors associated with pelvic floor dysfunction in university women: a cross-sectional study / Prevalência e fatores associados à disfunção do assoalho pélvico em mulheres universitárias: um estudo transversal

Abstract Introduction Urinary incontinence (UI), fecal inconti-nence (FI), and genito-pelvic pain or penetration disorder (GPPPD) are considered pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), and are mainly characterized by poor functionality of the pelvic floor muscles. Despite the relevance of these dysfunctions in women's lives, the demand for care is low. Objective To analyze the prevalence of PFD, in university women, and factors associated with PFD. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted at São Paulo State University, Marília, SP, Brazil, with undergraduate and/or postgraduate women aged over 18 years. An online questionnaire containing 40 open and multiple-choice questions about PFD was developed by the authors and a Google form was disclosed via social media (Facebook, Instagram) to the participants. The questionnaire was applied between April and July 2020. Results A sample of 707 participants was included. The average age was 22.5 ± 21.0 years old. The most prevalent PFD was GPPPD, reported by 30.7% of women, followed by UI (16.8%) and FI (3.2%). PFD was significant less reported in the Midwest region compared to other regions (p = 0.015) and significantly more prevalent in women who attended public university (p = 0.038), in women with UI, FI, and GPPPD. The association-test showed that attending public university showed association to UI (p < 0.001), FI (p = 0.008) and GPPPD (p = 0.006). In addition, parity showed association with GPPD (p = 0.032) and to attend health courses with UI (p = 0.002). Conclusion PFD is prevalent among university women and GPPPD was the most recurrent, followed by UI and FI. GPPPD was associated with parity and attending a public university. UI was associated with attending public university and health courses. FI was associated with attending a public university.

Resumo Introdução A incontinência urinária (IU), a incontinência fecal (IF) e a dor genitopélvica ou distúrbio de penetração (DGDP) são considerados disfunções do assoalho pélvico (DAP) e caracterizam-se principalmente pela má funcionalidade dos músculos do assoalho pélvico. Apesar da relevância dessas disfunções na vida das mulheres, a demanda por atendimento é baixa. Objetivo Analisar a prevalência das DAP em mulheres universitárias e fatores associados à DAP. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado na Universidade Estadual Paulista, Marília, SP, Brasil, com graduandas e/ou pós-graduandas maiores de 18 anos. Um questionário online contendo 40 questões abertas e de múltipla escolha sobre DAP foi desenvolvido pelos autores e um formulário do Google foi divulgado via mídia social (Facebook, Instagram) às participantes. O questionário foi aplicado entre abril e julho de 2020. Resultados Uma amostra de 707 participantes foi incluída. A média de idade foi de 22,5 ± 21 anos. A disfunção mais prevalente foi a DGDP, relatada por 30,7% das mulheres, seguida por IU (16,8%) e IF (3,2%). As características gerais não diferiram entre os grupos, mas no geral as disfunções foram significativamente menos relatadas na região Centro-Oeste em comparação com outras regiões (p = 0,015) e significativamente mais prevalente em mulheres que frequentaram universidade pública (p = 0,038) e em mulheres com IU, IF e DGDP. O teste de associação não demonstrou associação entre as disfunções e etnia, índice de massa corporal ou tipo de assistência à saúde. Além disso, frequentar universidade pública apresentou associação com IU (p < 0,001), IF (p= 0,008) e DGDP (p = 0,006). Além disso, a paridade mostrou-se associada à DGDP (p = 0,032) e frequentar cursos de saúde com IU (p = 0,002). Conclusão A disfunção do assoalho pélvico é prevalente entre as universitárias e a DGDP foi a mais recorrente, seguida de IU e IF. DGDP foi associado à paridade e a frequentar universidade pública. IU foi associada a frequentar universidade pública e a cursos da área da saúde. IF foi associada a frequentar universidade pública.

Knowledge of pelvic floor disorders in young women: a cross-sectional study / Conhecimento dos distúrbios do assoalho pélvico em mulheres jovens: um estudo transversal

Abstract Introduction: Young women's knowledge about pelvic floor function and dysfunction are poor. Objective: To identify the level of knowledge of young women about pelvic floor muscles (PFM) anatomy and function, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (PFMD), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and sexual dysfunction (SD). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Two hundred forty-two (242) young women from first to the third year of high school from ten public schools, in geographically disparate areas of a Brazilian county serving economic minority student populations, participated in the study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). The categorical data were expressed as absolute and relative frequency. Results: Only 28% of the young women knew PFM, and 26% answered to be able to contract these muscles. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 16%, while 5% reported fecal incontinence. The previous knowledge about POP was similar between bladder and uterus prolapse, 34% and 40%, respectively. SD was known by 48% of the young women. Seventy-seven young women (31.8%) declared to have had sexual intercourse. Ten percent declared difficulties to allow vaginal penetration, and 48% of those who were able to have penetration declared that they experienced pain and discomfort. Conclusion: Young women have little knowledge about the PFM anatomy and function, PFMD, POP, and SD. In addition, they have complaints related to sexual practice, such as difficulty during vaginal penetration and pain.

Resumo Introdução: O conhecimento de mulheres jovens sobre a função e disfunção do assoalho pélvico é insuficiente. Objetivo: Identificar o nível de conhecimento de mulheres jovens sobre a anatomia e função dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (MAP), disfunção dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (DMAP), prolapso de órgãos pélvicos (POP) e disfunção sexual (DS). Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Participaram dos estudo 242 mulheres jovens do primeiro ao terceiro ano do ensino médio de dez escolas públicas, em áreas geograficamente díspares de um município brasileiro que atende a populações de estudantes de minorias econômicas. A análise dos dados foi realizada usando SPSS 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Os dados categóricos foram expressos em frequência absoluta e relativa. Resultados: Apenas 28% das mulheres jovens conheciam os MAP e 26% responderam ser capazes de contrair esses músculos. A prevalência de incontinência urinária foi de 16%, enquanto 5% relataram incontinência fecal. O conhecimento prévio sobre POP foi semelhante entre o prolapso de bexiga e útero, 34% e 40%, respectivamente. De todas as mulheres jovens avaliadas, 48% tinham conhecimento sobre DS. Setenta e sete (31,8%) declararam ter vivenciado relação sexual, sendo que 10% destas declararam dificuldade para permitir a penetração vaginal e 48% das que conseguiam ter penetração declararam sentir dor e desconforto. Conclusão: Mulheres jovens apresentam pouco conhecimento sobre a anatomia e função dos MAP, sobre as DMAP, POP e sobre as DS. Além disso, apresentam queixas relacionadas à prática sexual, como dificuldade durante a penetração vaginal e dor.

Is there a correlation between a 20-min pad-test and subjective urine leakage amount?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The quantification of urinary incontinence (UI) is widely used in clinical practice to guide the prognosis and treatment, and the pad test is an inexpensive, quick, and easy tool to assess UI that has been used in studies in the literature. Another way to evaluate UI is the subjective urine leakage amount, but no studies have tried to correlate it with the 20-min pad test. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the correlation of the 20-min pad test with the subjective urine leakage amount and compare it with the pelvic floor function. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 72 participants. It evaluated pelvic floor muscle strength as well as the duration of symptoms and pad weight. It used mean, standard deviation, median, and 95% confidence interval. In addition, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used. The significance level was fixed at 5% (significant if P < 0.05). RESULTS: Only age was different between leakage volumes; participants who report greater UI volume were older than the participants who leaked less urine. There were no differences related to the duration of symptoms between different UI volumes and pad weights according to the subjective volume reported. Spearman's coefficient between pad weight and subjective volume of urine leakage was rs = 0.558 (P ≤ 0.0001), demonstrating a moderate positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS: There was a moderate correlation between the UI volume reported and the 20-min pad test. Additionally, no differences related to pelvic floor function were detected.

Effectiveness of the pelvic floor muscle training on muscular dysfunction and pregnancy specific urinary incontinence in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: There is ample evidence that gestational diabetes mellitus has a direct influence on urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscles. There are no standardized pelvic floor muscle exercise programs in the literature for the physiotherapy and differ in the type of exercise, intensity, type and duration of application, and the frequency and duration of treatment sessions. The aim of this systematic review will be to investigate that Pelvic Floor Muscle Training can prevent and/or decrease the pregnancy specific urinary incontinence in women with gestational diabetes mellitus or gestational hyperglycemia. METHODS: We will perform a systematic review according to the Cochrane methodology of Randomized Controlled Trials. An overall search strategy will be developed and adapted for Embase, MEDLINE, LILACS, and CENTRAL databases, with the date of consultation until June 2020. The MeSH terms used will be "Pregnancy", "Hyperglycemia", "Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2", "Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1", "Pregnancy in Diabetics", "Diabetes, Gestational", "Urinary Incontinence", "Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength". Primary outcomes: improvement or cure of pregnancy specific urinary incontinence (which can be assessed by questionnaires, and tools such as tampon test, voiding diary, urodynamic study). Secondary outcomes: improvement of pelvic floor muscle strength (pelvic floor functional assessment, perineometer, electromyography, functional ultrasonography), improved quality of life (questionnaires), presence or absence of postpartum Urinary Incontinence and adverse effects. Quality assessment by Cochrane instrument. Metanalysis if plausible, will be performed by the software Review Manager 5.3. DISCUSSION: The present study will be the first to analyze the effectiveness of pelvic floor exercises in pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus or Hyperglycemia, who suffer from pregnancy specific urinary incontinence. Randomized Controlled Trials design will be chosen because they present the highest level of evidence. It is expected to obtain robust and conclusive evidence to support clinical practice, in addition to promoting studies on the theme and contributing to new studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42017065281.

Altered maternal metabolism during mild gestational hyperglycemia as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcomes: A comprehensive analysis.

Mild gestational hyperglycemia (MGH), as assessed using the normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and detection of an altered glycemic profile, is associated with adverse perinatal outcome. This study described the results of 40 years of research conducted at the Perinatal Diabetes Research Centre at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, on the maternal MGH environment and placental markers. This study also described the unidirectional relationship between MGH and excessive fetal growth, also supplying moderator analysis. In addition to hyperglycemia, MGH is associated with an increased incidence of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, persistent insulin resistance after pregnancy, and high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after pregnancy. Structural changes and functional abnormalities resulting from MGH were observed in placenta. The fully adjusted model concluded that the predictor variable (MGH), which creates a complex environment for the fetus, has a direct effect on excessive birth weight and produces a z-score for ratios of birth weight to gestational age of ≥2. Maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, number of previous pregnancies, numbers of prenatal visits, and 1 h OGTT are moderator variables that impact MGH and excessive fetal growth. These results show that maternal MGH has some characteristics associated with similar long-term T2DM development and similar adverse perinatal results to those of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) mothers, making it an intermediate maternal and placental marker between normoglycemic and GDM mothers.

Evolution of female urinary continence after physical therapy and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any involuntary loss of urine that can influence the quality of life, personal hygiene and social interaction. The types of UI that most affect women are stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence. There are several risk factors that result in specific treatments. We aimed to investigate the evolution of female urinary continence after physical therapy intervention and its associated factors. METHOD: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 71 participants who were discharged from physiotherapy sector from August 2006 to April 2012 and met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Among the studied variables, the number of sessions and completion of home pelvic floor exercises showed a significant association. The urinary continence appeared in 43.7% of the cases, and factors, performance of home exercises, and number of sessions showed a significant association. CONCLUSION: The number of sessions and completion of home pelvic floor exercises showed a significant relationship with each other.