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Prevalence of diastasis recti abdominis in a urogynecological patient population

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Abstract

A urogynecologist’s examination typically includes assessment of the abdominal musculature, including the determination of whether a diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is present. The purposes of the current study were to examine the (1) prevalence of DRA in a urogynecological population, (2) differences in select characteristics of patients with and without DRA, and (3) relationship of DRA to support-related pelvic floor dysfunction diagnoses. A retrospective chart review was conducted by an independent examiner. Fifty-two percent of the patients examined presented with DRA. Patients with DRA were older, reported higher gravity and parity, and had weaker pelvic floor muscles than patients without DRA. Sixty-six percent of all the patients with DRA had at least one support-related pelvic floor dysfunction (SPFD) diagnosis. There was a relationship between the presence of DRA and the SPFD diagnoses of stress urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.

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Abbreviations

DRA:

diastasis recti abdominis

UI:

urinary incontinence

SUI:

stress urinary incontinence

FI:

fecal incontinence

POP:

pelvic organ prolapse

MPP:

Myofascial pelvic pain

PFD:

pelvic floor dysfunction

SPFD:

support-related pelvic floor dysfunction

OR:

odds ratio

CI:

confidence interval

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Acknowledgement

The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of Jennifer Wong M.S.P.T. for her assistance in data processing.

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Correspondence to Theresa M. Spitznagle.

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Spitznagle, T.M., Leong, F.C. & Van Dillen, L.R. Prevalence of diastasis recti abdominis in a urogynecological patient population. Int Urogynecol J 18, 321–328 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-006-0143-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-006-0143-5

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