High prevalence of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction in hospitalized elderly women with urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to determine pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in hospitalized elderly women with urinary incontinence (UI).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed using data of 704 patients, routinely collected by means of a clinical UI assessment.

RESULTS

Only 25.5% of the patients were able to perform normal PFM contractions (Oxford grading scale score ≥3); 74.5% were unable to contract their PFM or showed weak PFM activity without circular contraction or elevation of the vagina. Vulvovaginal mucosal dystrophy was noted in 84% of the patients. A significant positive correlation of PFM function was found to cognitive status (MMSE score), mobility (Tinetti performance score), and history of previous PFM training; a negative correlation of PFM function was found to patients' age and vulvovaginal mucosal dystrophy, and no significant correlation to body mass index, parity, or history of hysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted clinical UI assessment including digital vaginal palpation should be performed in all incontinent elderly women in order to detect PFM dysfunction and to optimize therapeutic measures.