Seeking healthcare for pelvic floor disorders: a population-based study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics that are associated with seeking care for pelvic floor disorders (PFD).

Study Design: Strategies for seeking care for pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence (UI), and anal incontinence (AI) were assessed in 4392 women. Women were dichotomized into women who had sought care and women with disorders who had not. Chi-square and t tests were used to compare demographic and medical variables. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI.

Results: Women who sought care were significantly older (64 +/- 13.1 vs 55 +/- 14.8 years old; P < .001). After an adjustment for significant variables, care-seeking was associated with increasing age per year (prolapse OR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.04-1.11]; UI OR, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.02-1.05]), hysterectomy (prolapse OR, 4.30 [95% CI, 2.16-8.55]; UI OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.05-1.89]), hormone replacement (UI OR, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.29-2.45]), and urinary infections (AI OR, 1.67 [95% CI, 1.04-2.68]).

Conclusion: Seeking care for PFD is associated with older age, hysterectomy, hormone use, and frequent urinary tract infection. This reinforces the need for PFD treatment as our population ages and demand increases.