Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis
Received 14 September 2006; accepted 28 February 2007.
Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction in women with interstitial cystitis (IC).
Methods
Women with IC and pelvic pain were referred to the Beaumont Women’s Initiative for Pelvic Pain and Sexual Health program. A comprehensive patient history and pelvic examination were completed by a certified women’s health nurse practitioner.
Results
Seventy women with a mean age of 45 years were evaluated. Of these 70 women 87% had levator pain consistent with pelvic floor dysfunction. The mean levator pain score was 4.48 out of 10. Nearly two thirds of these women (64%) had their pain for 5 years or more, whereas one quarter (24%) had their pain for 1 to 3 years. Half of the women reported irritable bowel syndrome, and more than one third (36%) reported urge urinary incontinence.
Conclusions
Women with IC may have pelvic floor dysfunction, as noted in this population in which 87% had levator pain upon examination. If pelvic floor dysfunction is diagnosed in IC patients, then therapy targeting the pelvic floor musculature may be considered as part of a multimodality approach to treating IC.
Ministrelli Program for Urology Research and Education (MPURE), Department of Urology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan.
Reprint requests: Donna J. Carrico, N.P., M.S., Department of Urology, William Beaumont Hospital, 3535 West 13 Mile Road, Suite 438, Royal Oak, MI 48073.
1 K.M. Peters is a paid consultant and funded investigator for Medtronics and Advanced Bionics.
ABSTRACT