Estudo comparativo da função do assoalho pélvico em mulheres continentes e incontinentes na pós menopausa Comparative study of pelvic floor function in continent and incontinent postmenopausal women

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is multifactorial and attributed, in part, to weakness of the pelvic floor muscles. Despite being underestimated by many women, a functional pelvic floor assessment (FPA) may contribute to a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Objectives: To compare the function of pelvic floor muscles in continent and incontinent postmenopausal women as a diagnostic factor in UI treatment. Methods: Based on the investigation of urinary symptoms, 153 women (age X=66.7±5.4) were divided into two groups (G1-incontinent and G2-continent). After analysis of the inclusion criteria, the women were submitted to FPA by means of bidigital palpation according to Contreras Ortiz (1994)* and quantification of perineal strength with a perineometer (PERINA 996-2 QUARK ® ). Results: There was prevalence of UI (54.9%) in the sample, with stress urinary incontinence (41.7%) as the most common. Regarding urinary symptoms such as diurnal (p=0.004) and nocturnal (p=0.02) voiding frequency, G1 had a significantly higher value. The FPA found similar results via palpation and the perineometer, with significant differences (p<0.001) between the two groups. We used descriptive statistics, the Student t test for independent samples, measures of prevalence and one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc test (p≤0.05). The software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 10.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL) was used to perform all tests. Conclusions: Palpation and the perineometer were efficient forms of assessing the force and pressure of the muscle contractions of this muscle group. Article registered in the Clinical Trials.gov under the number NCT00765622.