Prevalence and impact of urinary symptoms on quality of life during the last month of pregnancy / Prevalência e impacto de sintomas urinários na qualidade de vida durante o último mês de gestação

Abstract Introduction Adaptations of the maternal organism can adversely affect the lower urinary tract, leading to urinary symptoms with impact in quality of life (QoL). Objective To determine the prevalence of urinary symptoms and the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on QoL during the last month of pregnancy. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional study, envolving 96 women in the immediate postpartum period personally interviewed about urinary symptoms and QoL during their last four weeks of gestation. Women were divided into two groups according to the number of pregnancies: G1 = 1 pregnancy (n = 41) and G2 = ≥ 2 pregnancies (n = 55). Those who reported the presence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and/or urge incontinence (UUI) were also administered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results The most common symptoms were nocturia (90.6%), urgency (82.3%), urinary frequency (71.9%) feeling of incomplete emptying (62.5%) and SUI and/or UUI (53.1%) with no differences between groups. Only the complaint of SUI in cough was significantly higher in G2 (p = 0.04). There was no difference on QoL between groups based on ICIQ-SF scores among those with UI (53.1%), however G1 reported serious impact and G2 very serious impact. Conclusion Almost all women reported some type of urinary symptom and the most prevalent were nocturia, urgency, pollakiuria, feeling of incomplete emptying and SUI and/or UUI. SUI was more prevalent among women with two or more pregnancies and during cough were significantly higher. Regardless of the number of pregnancies, the presence any type of UI had a negative impact on QoL.

Resumo Introdução As adaptações do organismo materno podem afetar negativamente o trato urinário inferior, levando a sintomas urinários e impacto na qualidade de vida (QV). Objetivo Determinar a prevalência de sintomas urinários e o impacto da incontinência urinária (IU) na QV durante o último mês de gestação. Métodos Estudo transversal retrospectivo envolvendo 96 mulheres no puerpério imediato, entrevistadas pessoalmente sobre sintomas urinários e QV durante as últimas quatro semanas de gestação. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos, de acordo com o número de gestações: G1 = 1 gestação (n = 41) e G2 = ≥ 2 gestações (n = 55). Aquelas que relataram a presença de IU de esforço e/ou urge-incontinência responderam o International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Resultados Os sintomas mais comuns foram noctúria (90,6%), urgência (82,3%), frequência urinária (71,9%), sensação de esvaziamento incompleto (62,5%) e IU de esforço e/ou urge-incontinência (53,1%), sem diferença entre os grupos. Apenas a queixa de IU de esforço ao tossir foi significativamente maior no G2 (p = 0,04). Não houve diferença na QV entre os grupos baseando-se nos escores do ICIQ-SF, porém o G1 relatou impacto grave e o G2, impacto muito grave. Conclusão A maioria das mulheres referiu algum sintoma urinário, sendo mais prevalentes: noctúria, urgência, frequência urinária, sensação de esvaziamento incompleto e IU de esforço e/ou urge-incontinência. Entre aquelas com mais de duas gestações, a IU de esforço foi significativamente maior durante a tosse. Independente do número de gestações, a presença de algum sintoma de IU provocou impacto negativo na QV.

Exercise regimens other than pelvic floor muscle training cannot increase pelvic muscle strength-a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Although pelvic floor muscle training is widely recommendedin the literature as the gold standard for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions, such as urinary incontinence, interest in other exercise regimens is increasing. However, it is unknown whether other exercise regimens increase pelvic floor muscle strength. METHODS: This was a systematic review of randomized clinical trials found in PEDro, tridatabase, Cochrane and PubMed on the efficacy of nonspecific exercises, such as Pilates, the Paula method, and hypopressive exercises, in strengthening pelvic floor muscles in adults without underlying neurological disorders and with or without pelvic floor dysfunction. RESULTS: Seven studies were analyzed, and the results demonstrated that Pilates, the Paula method, and hypopressive exercises are ineffective in increasing pelvic muscle strength unless they are performed in conjunction with pelvic floor muscle training. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) under the number CRD42019123396. CONCLUSION: Considering the available studies, we have concluded that Pilates, the Paula method and hypopressive exercises performed alone do not increase pelvic floor muscle strength. Pelvic floor muscle training continues to be the gold standard for increasing pelvic muscle strength.

Strength Exercise Has Different Effects on Pressure Pain Thresholds in Women with Endometriosis-Related Symptoms and Healthy Controls: A Quasi-experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of strength exercises on remote pain sensitivity in women with endometriosis-related symptoms. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study. SETTING: University Hospital, a tertiary health unit. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one women with endometriosis-related symptoms and 21 healthy women provided written informed consent. METHODS: The participants performed weekly exercise sessions on an extensor chair for four consecutive weeks. An electronic algometer was used to measure the pressure pain thresholds on the nondominant forearm. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured using a digital device. All measurements were taken before, immediately after, and 10 and 20 minutes after the exercise series. RESULTS: Women with endometriosis-related symptoms had lower pain thresholds. Pressure pain thresholds increased immediately after exercise in healthy women, returning to baseline level 20 minutes after exercise. Women with endometriosis-related symptoms did not present significant pressure pain threshold alterations after exercise. However, they had a higher heart rate and systolic, diastolic, and average blood pressure than healthy women at all the timepoints. There were no consistent correlations between pressure pain thresholds and heart rate or blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The strength exercise regimen used in this study increased pain thresholds in healthy women but not in women with endometriosis-related painful symptoms. The maintenance or even worsening of pain perception after exercise in women with persistent pain, such as those with endometriosis, may limit their adherence to a physical training program, which in turn could prevent them from experiencing the long-term beneficial effects of exercise.