Article

Pelvic-floor dysfunction (PFD) affects a substantial proportion of
individuals, especially women. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were: (1) to
describe the characteristics of individuals with disorders associated with PFD
who were seeking outpatient physical therapy services and (2) to identify the
prevalence of specific pelvic-floor disorders in the group. DESIGN: This was a
prospective, longitudinal, cohort study of 2,452 patients (mean age=50 years,
SD=16, range=18-91) being treated in 109 outpatient physical therapy clinics in
26 states (United States) for their PFD. METHODS: This study examined patient
demographic variables and summarized patient self-reported responses to questions
related to urinary and bowel functioning at admission prior to receiving the
therapy for their PFD disorders. RESULTS: Patients primarily were female (92%),
were under 65 years of age (39%: 18 to <45 years; 39%: 45 to <65 years; 21%: 65
years or older), and had chronic symptoms (74%). Overall, 67% of the patients
reported that they had urinary problems, 27% reported bowel problems, and 39% had
pelvic pain. Among those who had urinary or bowel disorders, 32% and 54% reported
leakage and constipation, respectively, as their only problem. Among patients who
had pelvic pain, most (56%) reported that the pain was in the abdominal area.
Combinations of urinary, bowel, or pelvic-floor pain disorders occurred in 31% of
the patients. LIMITATIONS: Because this study was a secondary analysis of data
collected prospectively, the researchers were not in control of the data
collection procedure. Missing data were common. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggested most
patients with PFD receiving outpatient physical therapy services were female,
younger than 65 years, and had disorders lasting for more than 90 days.
Combinations of urinary, bowel, or pelvic-floor pain disorders were not uncommon.

Langue : ANGLAIS