Clinical characteristics of women with familial pelvic floor disorders

Understanding the clustering of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) within families is important because it may suggest underlying risk factors that may be environmental, genetic or both. The objective of this study was to describe clinical characteristics observed in familial cases with PFDs and compare them with strictly defined controls.

Women evaluated and treated for PFDs were recruited as part of a larger genetic study. Here, we define familial cases as those with bothersome symptoms or treatment for a PFD (pelvic organ prolapse [POP], stress urinary incontinence [SUI], and overactive bladder [OAB]) and who had a first-degree relative with bothersome symptoms or treatment for the same pelvic floor defect. We assigned clinical characteristics to probands and their relatives using standardized symptom questions (PFDI), examination, and review of treatment records, if any.

We identified 126 familial POP cases, 183 familial SUI cases, and 101 familial OAB cases. Familial cases were more likely to have bothersome symptoms for more than one PFD. Among familial POP cases, bothersome SUI (71 %), OAB (54 %), and a combination of all three disorders (48 %) were common. Among familial SUI cases, bothersome OAB (60 %), POP (59 %), and combinations of all disorders (40 %) were common. Among familial OAB cases, bothersome SUI (88 %), POP (66 %), and combinations of all three disorders (59 %) were common.

Familial cases of POP, SUI, and OAB are more likely to have more than one pelvic floor defect. It is likely that underlying genetic factors contribute to more than one pelvic floor defect.