Questionnaires to evaluate pelvic floor dysfunction in the postpartum period: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Women's Health
• Medical Assessment Tools

Background:

• Pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) are prevalent in women, with the postpartum period often triggering or worsening symptoms.
• Early identification of PFD symptoms and their impact on quality of life is crucial for effective management.
• Assessment instruments play a vital role in identifying and quantifying PFDs in the postpartum population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate existing questionnaires used for assessing pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) specifically in the postpartum period.
• To identify validated instruments suitable for the early and specific detection of PFDs in women after childbirth.
• To assess the suitability of current PFD assessment tools for the unique needs of the postpartum population.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
• Databases searched included PubMed, BVS, Web of Science, and Scopus.
• Keywords used were 'PFD' or 'pelvic floor disorders,' 'postpartum' or 'puerperium,' and 'questionnaire,' with articles published up to May 2018 included.

Main Results:

• The review identified nine validated questionnaires for assessing PFDs in the postpartum period.
• Frequently reported and ICI-recommended questionnaires include PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, and ICIQ-VS.
• A recently developed questionnaire specifically for PFD during pregnancy and postpartum was also identified.

Conclusions:

• Current questionnaires for postpartum PFD assessment are often designed for general populations or patients with incontinence.
• There is a notable scarcity of highly recommended, specialized questionnaires tailored for the postpartum period.
• Developing specific assessment tools for postpartum women is essential for improving early and targeted interventions.