Evaluation of the risk factors affecting pelvic floor relaxation

ABSTRACT

Pelvic relaxation is a common complaint in women admitted to gynecology clinics, with a prevalence of about 50% in the US. In this study, our goal was to identify factors which may contribute to the development of pelvic floor disorders. We conducted a case-control study, with cases selected from all the women who admitted to a gynecology clinic in Mashhad over a four month period. 100 cases who had some type of pelvic floor disorder were studied and compared with 100 controls without any pelvic problem. Each patient filled a questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS, using chi-squared, t-test and logistics regression. P-value < 0/05 was considered as significant. Compared with controls, cases were more likely to have a higher body mass Index [27.6 +/- 3.7 v.s 23.9 +/- 3.7, P<0.001], to be younger at first delivery [18.5 +/- 3.1 v.s 19.7 +/- 3.5, P=0.01], and to have more parity [4.1 +/- 2.9 v.s 2.1 +/- 1.2, P< 0.001]. 14% of cases had a history of gynecology surgery versus 3% of controls [P=0.005], and 12% of cases had a history of operative vaginal delivery versus 2% of controls [P<0.006]. 26% of women who had pelvic organ prolapse had a history of macrosomic infant [weight >/= 4kg], while only 5% of controls had this history [P<0.001]. There were no significant differences in occupation and type of delivery between cases and controls. In our study, difficult delivery, operative vaginal delivery, and history of bearing a macrosomic infant were significantly associated with subsequent development of pelvic floor disorders