Sara Arcanjo Lino Karbage

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.

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.