Algudairi G.1
1Security Forces Hospital, Physical Therapy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Background: Despite the high prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) among female patients seeking Physical Therapy (PT), there is lack of studies that estimate the prevalence of pelvic floor disorder (PFD) and its burden among those patients. Moreover, its association with neuropathic pain (NP) has never been examined.
Purpose: The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of PFD and NP among females seeking PT for CLBP and to examine the association between PFD & NP in this group.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey study using structured assessment questionnaires. In addition to demographic and clinical characteristics, the prevalence of PFD was assessed using validated Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). Self-Completed Leeds assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) was used to differentiate between nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Women between the age of 30 and 60 years referred to PT for CLBP, between January and July of 2016 who matched the inclusion criteria were asked to participate and sign the consent form.
Results: A total of 225 women aged 46.7±7.7 years were included. Approximately 79% of them were above the age of 40 years. The patients had BMI of 31.6±4.7 and the majority (69%) of them were not working (mainly housewives). Almost 85% of patients were currently married, and approximately 87% of married (73% of all) were sexually active. Almost all patients (97%) had children with approximately 69% were grand multiparous. Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) was the most common type of delivery (69%) followed by both SVD and C- section (25%) then C- section only (7%). Approximately one-third (33%) of women were in the menopausal state and only 3% were on Hormonal replacement therapy.
For the first objective we found that almost more than half of our cohort (52%) are suffering from NP, and approximately 43% are suffering form one or more of PFD.
Specifically, the prevalence of urinary distress, colorectal anal distress, pelvic organ prolapse distress and the overall pelvic floor distress were 46.6%, 41.5%, 40.9% and 43%, respectively.
The mean distress for both overall and subscales of PFDI-20 was significantly higher among those with NP.
Conclusion(s): PFD and NP both are prevalent among females seeking PT for CLBP. Nevertheless, assessment of both is not routinely done in PT practice.
Implications: There seems to be an interplay between NP and PFD, which needs further evaluation.
Funding acknowledgements: Security Forces Hospital - Riyadh
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine
Ethics approval: institutional review board (IRB) of the College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
