Abstract
A urogynecologist's examination typically includes assessment of the abdominal musculature, including the determination of whether a diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is present. The purposes of the current study were to examine the (1) prevalence of DRA in a urogynecological population, (2) differences in select characteristics of patients with and without DRA, and (3) relationship of DRA to support-related pelvic floor dysfunction diagnoses. A retrospective chart review was conducted by an independent examiner. Fifty-two percent of the patients examined presented with DRA. Patients with DRA were older, reported higher gravity and parity, and had weaker pelvic floor muscles than patients without DRA. Sixty-six percent of all the patients with DRA had at least one support-related pelvic floor dysfunction (SPFD) diagnosis. There was a relationship between the presence of DRA and the SPFD diagnoses of stress urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 321-328 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | International Urogynecology Journal |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2007 |
Keywords
- Diastasis recti abdominis
- Fecal incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Stress urinary incontinence
- Support-related pelvic floor dysfunction
- Urogynecological diagnosis