Prevalence of diastasis recti abdominis in a urogynecological patient population.

Full 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.

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Author information

Author/s: Spitznagle, Theresa M (TM); Leong, Fah Che (FC); Van Dillen, Linda R (LR);

Affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA. spitznaglet(-atsign-)msnote.wustl.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction (Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 18 (issue 3) : pp 321-8

Dates: Created 2007/02/05; Completed 2007/06/07;

PMID: 16868659, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Aged
Digestive System Surgical Procedures
Fecal Incontinence - epidemiology
Female
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Humans
Middle Aged

Middle Aged
Muscle Contraction
Pelvic Floor - physiopathology
Pelvic Pain
Prevalence
Rectus Abdominis - pathology; physiopathology
Urinary Incontinence, Stress - epidemiology
Uterine Prolapse - epidemiology

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