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To determine individual characteristics (i.e. sociodemographic and medical, obstetric and gynecological, and musculoskeletal and anthropometric parameters) for greater pelvic floor distress (PFD). A cross-sectional study was performed in 253 women with pelvic floor dysfunction. PFD was assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20). The score of Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) was used to perform secondary analyses. Sociodemographic, medical, and obstetric & gynecological parameters were recorded. Waist and hip circumferences and pelvic diameters were measured as anthropometric parameters. Pearson test, t-test, and linear regression analyses were conducted with a significance level of 0.05. Education level (r = −0.23, p <.001; r = −0.24, p <.001), number of vaginal births (r = 0.15, p =.012; r = 0.12, p =.048), total vaginal birth weight (r = 0.15, p =.021; r = 0.16, p =.019), and Body Mass Index (r = 0.12, p =.043; r = 0.16, p =.007) were significantly correlated with the higher PFDI-20 and UDI-6 scores. The maternal age at the first vaginal birth (r = −0.13, p =.049) and pelvic antero-posterior diameter (r = 0.17, p =.013) were also significantly correlated with higher UDI-6 score. Linear regression analyses revealed that younger age (Beta coefficient (β) = −1.10, p =.005), greater symptom duration (β = 2.28, p =.001), the presence of chronic cough/constipation (β = 25.72, p =.001), and increased total vaginal birth weight (β = 2.38, p =.030) were associated with the greater PFDI-20 score. Increased pelvic antero-posterior diameter (β = 0.88, p =.049) was a contributory factor for the greater UDI-6 score. This study showed that younger age, chronic cough/constipation, higher total vaginal birth weight, greater symptom duration, and pelvic antero-posterior diameter can be contributors of greater PFD. We suggest further longitudinal studies that better reveal the causal relationship between individual characteristics and PFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnancy. The relationship between biomechanical changes and pregnancy-related UI has not been fully elucidated. To investigate the association of various musculoskeletal and anthropometric changes in pregnancy that affect gestational UI. The study was conducted with 275 pregnant women. Ninety-three, 110 and 72 women were in first, second and third trimesters, respectively. Incontinence Impact Questionnaire for UI, Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form and Incontinence Severity Index were applied. Lumbar lordosis measurement was performed by Baseline Bubble Inclinometer while diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) measurement was carried out by finger-width method. Manual muscle test for rectus abdominis and right and left external oblique abdominal muscles, and Benign joint hypermobility test with Beighton scoring method were also applied as musculoskeletal measurements. Tape measurement at the waist, umbilical and hip levels, caliper with bi-iliac and bi-trochanteric diameters were also recorded as anthropometric measurements. Significant associated factors for UI were: umbilical DRA (OR = 1.57; p =.012); rectus abdominis muscle strength (values of 3 and below, OR = 1.2; p =.014); umbilical environment (OR = 1.1; p =.029); bi-iliac diameter (OR = 1.1; p =.05;) and bi-trochanteric diameter (OR = 1.3; p =.05), respectively. Changing musculoskeletal and anthropometric characteristics of pregnant women should be taken into consideration in UI follow-up during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]