Obesity impact on symptomatology associated with pelvic floor dysfunction
Authors:   Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Dumitrascu Mihai C. , Nenciu Adina E. ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Neacșu Adrian ,   Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest  Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Oproiu Ana M. ,   Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest  Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Popa Adelina ,   Department of Dermatology, “Elias” University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Nenciu Catalin G. ,   Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dermatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Bucur” Maternity, 040294 Bucharest, Romania
Published: April 2022

The increasing incidence of obesity, a significant health problem worldwide, represents a major socio-economic burden with a high impact on the quality of life. It is considered a risk factor for multiple medical conditions. More than half of women from developed countries are overweight or obese, this comorbidity can affect them from puberty through the reproductive period and then in the menopausal period, involving multiple medical and surgical specialties. It has a significant impact on the onset of puberty, the menstrual cycle, ovulation, fertility rate, and pregnancy outcome. In postmenopausal women, obesity represents an important risk factor for breast cancer, endometrial cancers or polyps, fibroids, pelvic organ prolapse, or stress urinary incontinence in addition to a higher risk of post-operative complications and also to some types of fragility fractures, especially if diabetes mellitus is associated. Pelvic floor disorders include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary or fecal incontinence. Obese patients seem more affected compare with normal-weighted females. We introduce a single-center, retrospective study on 74 patients (admitted between 2016 and 2019) with pelvic organ prolapses that were referred for surgical correction, and further on they were evaluated after one month, respective after 6 months since procedure. On admission, the subjects, aged between 41-82 years (median of 57 years) showed a strong correlation between the symptomatology caused by the prolapse degree and obesity (40.54% of them), as it appears that the discomfort and symptoms are significantly higher in the women with higher body mass index. In the reevaluation form, the patients with obesity complaint more frequently compared to the non-obese females about urinary and colorectal distress and low sexual desire and interest. The use of surgical treatment for pelvic organ dysfunctions is a contributor to improved quality of life in adult obese females.