PubMed- Pelvic floor disorders and quality of life in women with self-reported irritable bowel syndrome.

Pelvic floor disorders and quality of life in women with self-reported irritable bowel syndrome.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Oct 23;

Authors: Wang JY, Varma MG, Creasman JM, Subak LL, Brown JS, Thom DH, VAN DEN Eeden SK

Summary Background: Quality of life among women with irritable bowel syndrome may be affected by pelvic floor disorders. Aim: To assess the association of self-reported irritable bowel syndrome with urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual function, quality of life. Methods: We analyzed data from the Reproductive Risks for Incontinence Study at Kaiser Permanente, a random population-based study of 2109 racially diverse women (mean age=56). Multivariate analyses assessed the association of irritable bowel syndrome with pelvic floor disorders and quality of life. Results: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome was 9.7%(n=204). Women with irritable bowel had higher adjusted odds of reporting symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (OR 2.4;95%CI 1.4-4.1) and urinary urgency (OR 1.4;95%CI 1.0-1.9); greater bother from pelvic organ prolapse (OR 4.3;95%CI 1.5-11.9) and fecal incontinence (OR 2.0;95%CI, 1.3-3.2); greater lifestyle impact from urinary incontinence (OR 2.2;95%CI, 1.3-3.8); and worse quality of life (p<0.01). Women with irritable bowel reported more inability to relax and enjoy sexual activity (OR 1.8;95%CI 1.3-2.6) and lower ratings for sexual satisfaction (OR 1.8;95%CI 1.3-2.5), but no difference in sexual frequency, interest, or ability to have an orgasm. Conclusions: Women with irritable bowel are more likely to report symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse and sexual dysfunction, and report lower quality of life.

PMID: 19863498 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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