Prevalence and Trends of Symptomatic Pelvic Floor Disorders in US Women

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jennifer M. Wu, University of North Carolina; Camille Vaughan, Emory University; Patricia S. Goode, Emory University; David T. Redden, Emory University; Kathryn L. Burgio, Emory University; Holly E. Richter, University of Alabama Birmingham; Alayne D. Markland, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-01-01
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins: No Hybrid Open Access
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000000057
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Obstetrics and Gynecology
• ISSN: 0029-7844
• Volume: 123
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 141
• End Page: 148
• Grant/Funding Information: Dr. Wu is supported by K23HD068404; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.; Supported in part from Veterans Health Administration Career Development Awards (CDA-2) to Drs. Markland (B6126W) and Vaughan (1 IK2 RX000747-01).
• Keywords: Science & Technology; WEIGHT-LOSS; URINARY-INCONTINENCE; SURGERY; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; ORGAN PROLAPSE; Obstetrics & Gynecology; OBESITY; OVERWEIGHT; OLDER; FECAL INCONTINENCE; SEVERITY; RISK-FACTORS
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and trends of these pelvic floor disorders in U.S. women from 2005 to 2010. METHODS: We used the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey from 2005-2006, 2007-2008, and 2009-2010. A total of 7,924 nonpregnant women (aged 20 years or older) were categorized as having: urinary incontinence (UI)-moderate to severe (3 or higher on a validated UI severity index, range 0-12); fecal incontinence-at least monthly (solid, liquid, or mucus stool); and pelvic organ prolapse-seeing or feeling a bulge. Potential risk factors included age, race and ethnicity, parity, education, poverty income ratio, body mass index ([BMI] less than 25, 25-29, 30 or greater), comorbidity count, and reproductive factors. Using appropriate sampling weights, weighted χ analysis and multivariable logistic regression models with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were reported. RESULTS: The weighted prevalence rate of one or more pelvic floor disorders was 25.0% (95% CI 23.6-26.3), including 17.1% (95% CI 15.8-18.4) of women with moderate-to-severe UI, 9.4% (95% CI 8.6-10.2) with fecal incontinence, and 2.9% (95% CI 2.5-3.4) with prolapse. From 2005 to 2010, no significant differences were found in the prevalence rates of any individual disorder or for all disorders combined (P>.05). After adjusting for potential confounders, higher BMI, greater parity, and hysterectomy were associated with higher odds of one or more pelvic floor disorders. CONCLUSION: Although rates of pelvic floor disorders did not change from 2005 to 2010, these conditions remain common, with one fourth of adult U.S. women reporting at least one disorder.