[Impact of the diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles on the pelvic-perineal symptoms: Review of the literature]

Abstract

Introduction: The diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles is common during pregnancy and post-partum.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of this pathology, methods of diagnosis, association with pelvic-perineal disorders and therapies that may be proposed.

Methods: Review of Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane literature using the following words and MeSH: diastasis, diastasis and pregnancy, diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle, increase of the inter-recti distance.

Results: Among the 124 articles found, 61 were selected. Ultrasound seems to be the exam of choice both in terms of feasibility and reproducibility for the diagnosis of this pathology (intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) high 0.81 to 0.94). The risk factors identified vary from one study to another: heavy load bearing (OR=2.18 (95 % CI 1.05 to 4.52) P=0.04), weight gain. Studies are discordant regarding the association between diastasis and low back pain (RR=1.39 (95 % CI 0.91-2.14), P=0.17), urinary incontinence (RR=0.86 (95 % CI 0.55-1.33) P>0.65) and prolapse (OR=2.25 (95 % CI 1.51-3.37) P<0.001), but the diastasis seems to play a role in the alteration of the quality of life for these patients.

Conclusion: Knowledge about risk factors, consequences of diastasis and management is still limited today. It is therefore necessary to establish prospective studies on larger numbers in order to improve knowledge on the diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles.

Keywords: Diastasis; Diastasis and pain; Diastasis and pregnancy; Diastasis des muscles droits de l’abdomen; Diastasis et douleur; Diastasis et grossesse; Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle; Increase of the inter-recti distance; Linea alba; Prolapse; Prolapsus.