Relationship between diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle (DRAM) and musculoskeletal dysfunctions, pain and quality of life: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND

Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle (DRAM) is common during and after pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between: the presence of DRAM and low back pain, lumbo-pelvic pain, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, abdominal muscle performance or health-related quality of life; and between DRAM width and severity of these outcomes.

DATA SOURCES: Six electronic databases (EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL, PUBMED, AMED and PEDro).

STUDY SELECTION: Included studies of all designs with adults with DRAM that assessed low back pain, lumbo-pelvic pain incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, abdominal performance or health-related quality of life.

STUDY APPRAISAL & SYNTHESIS

METHODS

Methodological quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. A narrative summary was completed for DRAM presence and presence of the various musculoskeletal dysfunctions, and DRAM width and the severity of these dysfunctions.

RESULTS

Twelve studies involving 2242 participants were included. There was no significant association between the presence of DRAM and lumbo-pelvic pain or incontinence. There was a small association between the presence of DRAM and pelvic organ prolapse. DRAM width may be associated with health-related quality of life, abdominal muscle strength and severity of low back pain.

LIMITATIONS: Quality of studies was weak. There was variability in the methods used to assess DRAM.

CONCLUSION

There is weak evidence that DRAM presence may be associated with pelvic organ prolapse, and DRAM severity with impaired health-related quality of life, impaired abdominal muscle strength and low back pain severity. Systematic Review Registration Number: PROSPERO CRD42017058089.