Objectives: The aim of the present study is the assessment of thickness and percentage change in thickness of the musculus obliquus externus abdominis (OE), musculus obliquus internus abdominis (OI) and musculus transversus abdominis (TrA) among women suffering from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in comparison with healthy controls.
Material and methods: The thickness and its percentage changes of the OE, OI and TrA among women with and without SUI were assessed. We observed the reactions of the abdominal muscles among 84 women by means of ultrasound imaging.
Results: The thickness of the OE was significantly greater in the SUI group during rest and tension of the lower part of the abdomen. Significant changes were found in the OI for the controls during isometric tension of the abdominal muscles, tension of the lower part of the abdomen, and ASLR (active straight leg raise) test of right leg. The thickness changes in the TrA were significant for the controls during isometric tension of the abdominal muscles.
Conclusions: Our results suggest interactions of the pelvic floor and the abdominal muscles during pelvic floor activity, differing in the women with SUI and controls.
Keywords: abdominal muscles; pelvic floor muscles; stress urinary incontinence; ultrasound imaging.