Related Experiment Videos
Pelvic floor dysfunction in morbidly obese women: pilot study
Dharmesh S Kapoor1, G Willy Davila, Raul J Rosenthal
1Section of Female Urology and Voiding Dysfunction, Cleveland Clinic Florida, 2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd., Weston, FL 33331, USA.
Obesity Research
|August 5, 2004
Summary
Morbid obesity significantly impacts women's urogenital health, leading to increased urinary incontinence and constipation. However, sexual function appears unaffected in morbidly obese women.
Area of Science:
- Urogynecology
- Bariatric Surgery
- Obesity Medicine
Background:
- Obesity is a growing public health concern with potential impacts on various bodily functions.
- Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common issue affecting women's quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between morbid obesity and pelvic floor function in women.
- To assess the effects of obesity on urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse symptoms, and sexual function.
Main Methods:
- A prospective controlled study comparing 20 morbidly obese women undergoing gastric bypass surgery with 20 age-matched controls.
- Utilized validated questionnaires: Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI), Kobashi Prolapse Symptom Inventory and Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (PSI-QOL), and Index of Female Sexual Function.
- Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon and ratio chi-squared tests.
Main Results:
- Morbidly obese women (BMI 52.65 +/- 14.49 kg/m2) reported significantly greater impact of urinary incontinence on lifestyle (IIQ-7 score, p = 0.03).
- Increased urinary leakage during activity (UDI, p = 0.04) and more frequent small leaks (p = 0.02) were observed in the obese group.
- Obese women experienced more constipation due to rectal emptying difficulties (PSI-QOL, p = 0.04) with higher overall PSI-QOL scores (6.75 vs. 2.65, p = 0.04).
Conclusions:
- Morbid obesity is significantly associated with negative effects on urogenital health, including incontinence and constipation.
- Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms are more prevalent in morbidly obese women.
- Sexual function was not significantly different between morbidly obese women and controls.