The socioeconomic burden of pelvic floor disorders

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI), and fecal incontinence (FI) affect millions of women throughout the world. The aim of this review was to describe the socioeconomic burden of PFDs in women. A comprehensive literature search was performed in relevant databases to identify articles on this topic. The prevalence of pelvic floor disorders reaches up to 46% in adult women and many have >1 PFD. PFDs impair a woman's well-being, quality of life, and sexual function and prevent many women from participating in recreational and sporting activities. UI alone constitutes a major health problem affecting the lives of more than 500 million persons worldwide. Combined FI and UI have been reported in 10% of women living in the community, increasing to almost 50% in nursing home residents. The prevalence of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in women has been reported to be between 4% and 11%. The costs of PFDs to health care systems and society are enormous, and approximately one in five women will undergo surgery for genital prolapse or UI by the age of 85 years. Global demographic trends regarding the aging population indicate that the prevalence of both UI and FI will rise in the coming years, significantly increasing the health and societal burden as well as the economic costs for both patients and health service payer. At present, PFDs incur a huge socioeconomic burden on women throughout the world. Management strategies during delivery should be individualized to reduce the burden of pelvic floor dysfunction currently occurring following vaginal birth.