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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Association between metabolic syndrome and pelvic floor dysfunction in middle-aged to older Korean women
Yun Hwan Kim1, Jin Ju Kim, Sun Mie Kim
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) with female pelvic floor dysfunction in middle-aged to older Korean women.
Study Design:
A prospective cross-sectional study was performed that included a total of 984 Korean women (≥ 40 years old) who visited a comprehensive medical screening clinic. Pelvic floor dysfunction was assessed by the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20); higher scores indicated a greater symptom burden.
Results:
The adjusted mean score on the PFDI-20, and especially the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 subscale, was significantly higher in subjects with MS than those without MS. Furthermore, the PFDI-20 and all 3 subscales were significantly increased in correlation with the number of MS components that were present (P < .05). In the multivariable analysis, MS was associated significantly with PFDI-20 (P = .002) and the 3 subscores (P < .05).
Conclusion:
MS was significantly associated with the pelvic floor dysfunction among middle- to old-aged Korean women. Physicians should pay more attention to the pelvic floor symptoms for the patients with MS.
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