José Ananias Vasconcelos Neto

Anatomical and functional characteristics of the pelvic floor in nulliparous women submitted to three-dimensional endovaginal ultrasonography: case control study and evaluation of interobserver agreement

PURPOSE To determine anatomical and functional pelvic floor measurements performed with three-dimensional (3-D) endovaginal ultrasonography in asymptomatic nulliparous women without dysfunctions detected in previous dynamic 3-D anorectal ultrasonography (echo defecography) and to demonstrate the interobserver reliability of these measurements. METHODS Asymptomatic nulliparous volunteers were submitted to echo defecography to identify dynamic dysfunctions, including anatomical (rectocele, intussusceptions, entero/sigmoidocele and perineal descent) and functional changes (non-relaxation or paradoxical contraction of the puborectalis muscle) in the posterior compartment and assessed with regard to the biometric index of levator hiatus, pubovisceral muscle thickness, urethral length, anorectal angle, anorectal junction position and bladder neck position with the 3-D endovaginal ultrasonography. All measurements were compared at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver, and perineal and bladder neck descent was determined. The level of interobserver agreement was evaluated for all measurements. RESULTS A total of 34 volunteers were assessed by echo defecography and by 3-D endovaginal ultrasonography. Out of these, 20 subjects met the inclusion criteria. The 14 excluded subjects were found to have posterior dynamic dysfunctions. During the Valsalva maneuver, the hiatal area was significantly larger, the urethra was significantly shorter and the anorectal angle was greater. Measurements at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver differed significantly with regard to anorectal junction and bladder neck position. The mean values for normal perineal descent and bladder neck descent were 0.6 cm and 0.5 cm above the symphysis pubis, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.62-0.93. CONCLUSIONS Functional biometric indexes, normal perineal descent and bladder neck descent values were determined for young asymptomatic nulliparous women with the 3-D endovaginal ultrasonography. The method was found to be reliable to measure pelvic floor structures at rest and during Valsalva, and might therefore be suitable for identifying dysfunctions in symptomatic patients.

Quality of life of Brazilian women with urinary incontinence and the impact on their sexual function

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Sexual function may be affected in women with urinary incontinence (UI), but data regarding this association are controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of sociodemographic characteristics in the sexual function of Brazilian women with UI. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study with 251 women with UI in the period from April to June 2014. Firstly, sociodemographic and pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD) characteristics were compared between groups of women with and without sexual activity. Secondly, we compared the variables above with the total score of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and/or Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). For continuous variables, we used the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test; for categorical variables we used the chi-square statistic considering the difference of p<0.05. RESULTS Women with sexual activity tend to be younger, to be premenopausal, have a steady partner and not be hypertensive. The mean total score of PISQ-12 was 27.30. Women who attended elementary school, with coital UI, with moderate constipation and symptomatic prolapse have worse sexual function. Premenopausal women with mixed urinary incontinence have worse sexual function than those with stress urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION The association between sexual dysfunction and UI deserves special attention from health professionals. The care of the maintenance or restoration of sexual well-being should be offered to all women, regardless of age, since UI may affect sexual life and QoL of these women.

Analysis of coverage and of the pap test exams not retired of a Basic Health Unit

To analyze the coverage and the colpocytology exams that were not collected from a Health Center. This is a retrospective documentary study, in which the data were evaluated for coverage of 2007 and all 225 tests that were performed but were not collected by the patients unit until January 2008. Statistical analysis was performed using the frequency of the studied variables. The average monthly number of tests was 102.6 examinations. The coverage of the examination in 2007 was 11.22% among women with 25 to 59 years of age. Of the 938 tests conducted between February and November 2007, 225 (23.98%) women did not receive the result. Most women (67.5%) who performed the examination and had not returned were 30 years old or younger. The womens attitude of not returning to collect their exam results increases the difficulty of follow up, and providing comprehensive and continuity of care, contributing with an intervention in advanced stages of the disease.To analyze the coverage and the colpocytology exams that were not collected from a Health Center. This is a retrospective documentary study, in which the data were evaluated for coverage of 2007 and all 225 tests that were performed but were not collected by the patients unit until January 2008. Statistical analysis was performed using the frequency of the studied variables. The average monthly number of tests was 102.6 examinations. The coverage of the examination in 2007 was 11.22% among women with 25 to 59 years of age. Of the 938 tests conducted between February and November 2007, 225 (23.98%) women did not receive the result. Most women (67.5%) who performed the examination and had not returned were 30 years old or younger. The womens attitude of not returning to collect their exam results increases the difficulty of follow up, and providing comprehensive and continuity of care, contributing with an intervention in advanced stages of the disease.

Análise da cobertura e dos exames colpocitológicos não retirados de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde

To analyze the coverage and the colpocytology exams that were not collected from a Health Center. This is a retrospective documentary study, in which the data were evaluated for coverage of 2007 and all 225 tests that were performed but were not collected by the patients unit until January 2008. Statistical analysis was performed using the frequency of the studied variables. The average monthly number of tests was 102.6 examinations. The coverage of the examination in 2007 was 11.22% among women with 25 to 59 years of age. Of the 938 tests conducted between February and November 2007, 225 (23.98%) women did not receive the result. Most women (67.5%) who performed the examination and had not returned were 30 years old or younger. The womens attitude of not returning to collect their exam results increases the difficulty of follow up, and providing comprehensive and continuity of care, contributing with an intervention in advanced stages of the disease.To analyze the coverage and the colpocytology exams that were not collected from a Health Center. This is a retrospective documentary study, in which the data were evaluated for coverage of 2007 and all 225 tests that were performed but were not collected by the patients unit until January 2008. Statistical analysis was performed using the frequency of the studied variables. The average monthly number of tests was 102.6 examinations. The coverage of the examination in 2007 was 11.22% among women with 25 to 59 years of age. Of the 938 tests conducted between February and November 2007, 225 (23.98%) women did not receive the result. Most women (67.5%) who performed the examination and had not returned were 30 years old or younger. The womens attitude of not returning to collect their exam results increases the difficulty of follow up, and providing comprehensive and continuity of care, contributing with an intervention in advanced stages of the disease.

Analysis of papanicolaou test results not collected by patients, period between 2007 and 2009: documentary study

Aim: To evaluate the population coverage for Papanicolaou tests and to analyze the results not collected by patients at a Family Health Center in Fortaleza, CE - Brazil. Method: Retrospective research conducted via the analysis of exams archived between 2007 and 2009. Results: The population coverage of preventive examinations was below the desired goal, as 1346 examinations were performed per year, corresponding to population coverage of 60%. The presence of Lactobacilli sp. was related to the presence of mild inflammation (p = 0.000). Gardnerella vaginallis was related to the absence of mild inflammation (p = 0.000). The presence of Trichomonas vaginallis had no relation to light (p = 0.041) or moderate inflammation (p = 0.022). In all test results where low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN I) was found, the HPV was present. Conclusion: The number of women not returning to receive the test results made the monitoring, completeness and continuity of the care difficult.

The effectiveness of post-partum interventions to prevent urinary incontinence: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE to assess the effectiveness of post-partum interventions to prevent urinary incontinence: a systematic review. METHOD systematic review of randomized controlled studies conducted in the MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus and the Virtual Library on Health (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, BVS) databases. RESULTS six articles were included in this review. All studies used the Pelvic Floor Muscle Training as the main procedure to prevent urinary incontinence. The results pointed to a positive and effective intervention in the post-partum period. CONCLUSION there is evidence that programs of exercise of the pelvic floor musculature performed both in the immediate and late post-partum result in a significant increase in muscle strength and contribute to prevent urinary incontinence.

Women’s knowledge, attitude and practice related to urinary incontinence: systematic review

IntroductionKnowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) investigations lead to an understanding of what a particular population group knows, thinks and does in relation to a certain subject.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted to identify women’s KAP related to urinary incontinence (UI) described in the literature and the measurement/evaluation instruments used. A literature search, up to July 2017, was conducted in PUBMED, SCOPUS and BVS (Virtual Health Library) for articles dealing with women’s KAP related to UI that described the validation procedure of any data collection instrument. Articles that investigated exclusively male subjects, provider performance or academic teaching strategies were excluded. Relevant studies were analyzed and briefly summarized.ResultsInitially, 799 articles were retrieved. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 remained for reading and summarizing. There has been interest in identifying and evaluating some of the KAP elements related to UI since 1994, with a wide variety of validated instruments used. Knowledge was evaluated in 15 articles and all concluded that there was misinformation about UI in the populations studied. Seven articles studied the intention to seek healthcare for UI, among which only one evidenced an adequate attitude in more than 70% of the participants. All the articles that investigated practice revealed low rates of seeking care.ConclusionsThe KAP elements are influenced by specific questions in each of the studied populations, leading to unique results, which indicates the importance of investigations using standardized data collection instruments that have psychometric validity tested in the target populations.

Pelvic floor muscle function and quality of life in postmenopausal women with and without pelvic floor dysfunction

This study aims to compare pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in postmenopausal women with and without pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and the relation between PFM function and quality of life.

Clinical impact of bowel symptoms in women with pelvic floor disorders

Introduction and hypothesisThe aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations between the POP-Q Bp point and the perineal body (Pb) and genital hiatus (Gh) measurements and constipation, anal incontinence, severity of symptoms and quality of life.MethodsThe patients were distributed into two groups according to the posterior vaginal wall Bp point: one group with Bp ≤−1 (without posterior vaginal wall prolapse, control group) and the other group with Bp ≥0 (with posterior vaginal wall prolapse, case group). Demographic data, defecatory dysfunction and SF-36 scores were compared between the groups. Correlations between severity of posterior prolapse (Bp, Gh, Pb and Gh + Pb) and severity of bowel symptoms were also calculated.ResultsA total of 613 women were evaluated, of whom 174 were included, 69 (39.7%) in the control group and 105 (60.3%) in the case group. The groups were similar in terms of anal incontinence, fecal urgency and/or constipation. There was no correlation between the severity of constipation and anal incontinence according to the Wexner score, and the severity of posterior vaginal wall prolapse measured in terms of point Bp. There were, however, statistically significant differences in Pb, Gh and Gh + Pb between the groups. The Pb and Gh + Pb measurements were positively correlated with symptoms of constipation, as well as with the scores of some SF-36 domains, but were not correlated with anal incontinence.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the severity of posterior vaginal wall prolapse is not correlated with constipation or anal incontinence, but Pb and Gh + Pb measurements are correlated with constipation and SF-36 scores.

Defecatory dysfunction and fecal incontinence in women with or without posterior vaginal wall prolapse as measured by pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q)

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a complex condition that may be asymptomatic or may involve a loto f symptoms. This study evaluates defecatory dysfunction, fecal incontinence, and quality of life in relation to presence of posterior vaginal prolapse. METHODS 265 patients were divided into two groups according to posterior POP-Q stage: posterior POP-Q stage ≥2 and posterior POP-Q stage <2. The two groups were compared regarding demographic and clinical data; overall POP-Q stage, percentage of patients with defecatory dysfunction, percentage of patients with fecal incontinence, pelvic floor muscle strength, and quality of life scores. The correlation between severity of the prolapse and severity of constipation was calculated using ρ de Spearman (rho). RESULTS Women with Bp stage ≥2 were significantly older and had significantly higher BMI, numbers of pregnancies and births, and overall POP-Q stage than women with stage <2. No significant differences between the groups were observed regarding proportion of patients with defecatory dysfunction or incontinence, pelvic floor muscle strength, quality of life (ICIQ-SF), or sexual impact (PISQ-12). POP-Q stage did not correlate with severity of constipation and incontinence. General quality of life perception on the SF-36 was significantly worse in patients with POP-Q stage ≥2 than in those with POP-Q stage <2. CONCLUSIONS The lack of a clinically important association between the presence of posterior vaginal prolapse and symptoms of constipation or anal incontinence leads us to agree with the conclusion that posterior vaginal prolapse probably is not an independent cause defecatory dysfunction or fecal incontinence.