Do pelvic floor muscle function parameters differ in women according to continence status? A systematic review

Albane Audrain; Jean Nicolas Cornu; Gaëtan Kerdelhue; Yann Combret; Benoit Steenstrup

doi:10.1016/j.fjurol.2024.102592

Do pelvic floor muscle function parameters differ in women according to continence status? A systematic review

Fr J Urol. 2024 Feb 19;34(3):102592. doi: 10.1016/j.fjurol.2024.102592. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Albane Audrain¹, Jean Nicolas Cornu², Gaëtan Kerdelhue³, Yann Combret⁴, Benoit Steenstrup²

Affiliations

¹ Rouen Physiotherapy Training Institute, Rouen, France. Electronic address: albane.audrain@orange.fr.
² Department of Urology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
³ Department of Biomechanical Informatics, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
⁴ Physiotherapy Department, Le Havre Hospital, La Havre, France; ERPHAN, Paris-Saclay University, UVSQ, Versailles, France.

PMID: 38377645
DOI: 10.1016/j.fjurol.2024.102592

Abstract

Background: Current literature highlights the difficulty in identifying which pelvic floor muscle (PFM) functions are correlated with urinary incontinence (UI).

Aim: In this study, we compared parameters of PFM function (strength, endurance, tone, control, reaction, and/or coordination) according to continence status in women (presence or absence, type and/or severity of urinary incontinence).

Evidence acquisition: A systematic review was conducted following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Three databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, and LiSSa) were searched from inception to December 31, 2021. Assessment of risk of bias was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist.

Evidence synthesis: The initial research yielded 4733 studies. Forty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, including 4015 participants. No statistical association was found between PFM function and the presence or absence of UI, the different type of UI or the different levels of severity of UI. The heterogeneity in methodologies and analyzes of the results only with the P-value are important limitations of this review.

Conclusion: It appears that muscle function is not always associated with presence or absence of UI. No association is found between PFM function and type or severity of UI. These results reinforce the need to carry out a bio-psycho-social evaluation of UI that does not only focus on PFM functions. As such, the results reported herein can be considered a resource for more specific research.

Keywords: Muscle function; Pelvic floor muscle; Urinary incontinence; Women.