Gap between the prevalence of and consultation rate for lumbopelvic pain in postnatal Japanese women.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the prevalence of lumbopelvic pain (LPP), including low back pain (LBP) and/or pelvic girdle pain (PGP), consultation rate, and desire for treatment of postnatal Japanese women. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 98 postnatal Japanese women within 1 year of childbirth. We retrospectively evaluated the prevalence of LBP before and during pregnancy and the prevalence of LPP after childbirth using a self-administered questionnaire. We used the distribution of pain to differentiate LBP and/or PGP after childbirth and its intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale. The effects of LPP on daily life were assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). In addition, we assessed the consultation rate for LPP and the desire to consult a healthcare professional, using self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence of LPP after childbirth was 66%. Women with a history of LBP before and during pregnancy were more likely to have LPP following childbirth (both P < 0.001). The consultation rate among the postnatal women with LPP was 9%, but 56% of the women wished to consult a healthcare professional. The ODI score was significantly higher in postnatal women who wanted to consult a healthcare professional than in those who did not (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Two thirds of the postnatal Japanese women who participated in this study had LPP, but the consultation rate was low. However, more than half of these women had the desire to consult a healthcare professional.

Relationships between stress urinary incontinence and trunk muscle mass or spinal alignment in older women.

OBJECTIVES: Relationships between stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and physical function and spinal alignment have not been fully elucidated; therefore, we examined these relationships in older women. METHODS: The participants of this cross-sectional study comprised 21 women with SUI (SUI group) and 41 continent women (continent group) aged >65 years who participated in a community-based health-check survey from 2018 to 2019. We examined age, body mass index, number of deliveries, age at first childbirth, and medical histories as participants' characteristics. SUI was evaluated using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). We also assessed spinal alignment and physical activity, grip strength, trunk and lower limb muscle mass, gait speed, and one-leg standing time as measures of participants' physical function. RESULTS: Body mass index was significantly higher in the SUI group compared with continents (P = 0.04), and trunk muscle mass in the SUI group was significantly lower (P < 0.01). Additionally, the thoracic kyphosis angle in the SUI group was significantly larger (P = 0.02). In the logistic regression analysis, trunk muscle mass (odds ratio = 0.546, P = 0.03) and increased thoracic kyphosis angle (odds ratio = 1.066, P = 0.045) were independent factors affecting SUI. Furthermore, there was a negative weak correlation between total ICIQ-SF score and trunk muscle mass (r = -0.36, P < 0.01), and a positive weak correlation between total ICIQ-SF score and thoracic kyphosis angle (r = 0.27, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Trunk muscle mass and thoracic kyphosis angle relate to SUI status and severity among Japanese community-dwelling older women.

The effect of simulated gestational weight gain on balance, gait, and fear of falling.

The effects of pregnancy on balance with the eyes closed and maximum walking speed remain unclarified. The present study aimed to examine the effect of simulated gestational weight gain on balance, gait, and fear of falling in nulligravid women to enhance understanding of the impact of gestational weight gain. We prospectively evaluated the following outcomes in 24 healthy nulligravid women with and without a maternity-simulation jacket that simulated third-trimester pregnancy. To measure balance, we used the single-leg-stance test with eyes open and closed, and the functional reach test. We evaluated gait function by measuring walking speed, step length, and cadence at self-selected and maximum speeds. We used the timed-up-and-go test as a comprehensive measure of gait and balance, and the modified falls efficacy scale to evaluate fear of falling. Differences in these parameters between a simulated gestational weight gain condition and a "nonpregnant" condition were assessed. Simulated gestational weight gain caused significantly worse performances in the single-leg-stance test with eyes open and closed, functional reach test, walking speed, step length at self-selected and maximum speeds, and timed-up-and-go test. The effect size was larger for the single-leg-stance test with eyes closed than with eyes open. The average score for each modified falls efficacy scale item ranged from 4.7-8.5. In conclusion, balance decreased with simulated gestational weight gain, and balance may be more affected without visual feedback. Simulated gestational weight gain resulted in worse gait function at both self-selected and maximum speeds.