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Pelvic Floor Morphometric Differences in Elderly Women with or without Urinary Incontinence
Sarah Fradet1,2, Mélanie Morin3,4, Jennifer Kruger5
1Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal.
Physiotherapy Canada. Physiotherapie Canada
|February 14, 2018
Summary
Pelvic floor muscle differences were observed in elderly women with urinary incontinence using 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound. These morphometric variations in pelvic floor muscles may explain incontinence in older women.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Urogynecology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Urinary incontinence (UI) affects over 50% of women aged 60+, yet its pathophysiology in elderly women is not fully understood.
- Conservative treatment for UI could be improved by understanding morphometric differences in pelvic floor muscles (PFM) between continent and incontinent elderly women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate morphometric differences in PFM between elderly women with and without UI using 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound (TPU).
Main Methods:
- A case-control study included 40 elderly women (20 with UI, 20 without UI).
- 3D/4D TPU imaging was performed at rest, during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and during Valsalva maneuver.
- Independent t-tests were used to compare measurements between the groups.
Main Results:
- The incontinent group exhibited larger levator hiatal area and transverse diameter, and a lower PFM position at rest.
- During MVC, axial plane parameters were larger in the incontinent group, with a lower PFM position observed in the sagittal plane.
- The anorectal angle was wider during Valsalva in women with UI.
Conclusions:
- Significant PFM morphometric differences exist between elderly women with and without UI.
- 3D/4D TPU imaging can effectively visualize these differences, aiding in understanding UI pathophysiology.
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