Evaluation of the severity of striae gravidarum in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective: To evaluate the severity of abdominal striae in women presenting with pelvic organ prolapse.

Study Design: A cross sectional study conducted in the outpatient clinics of obstetrics and gynecology department, Suez Canal University hospitals. We recruited patients over a six months period from January 2019 to June 2019 presenting with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (96) and abdominal striae. A control group with no evidence of striae and presenting with symptomatic organ prolapse were recruited also. The degree of prolapse was evaluated using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system. The evaluation of striae was done using the Davey's scale.

Results: Mild, moderate and severe striae affected 20 (20.8 %), 34 (35.4 %), and 42 (43.8 %) women, respectively. Severe striae were noted in women with increased parity (5 ± 2.03). Apical prolapse was more prominent in women with severe striae [42 (100 %)]. Advanced grades of prolapse (grade 3 and 4) were noted in women with severe striae [25 (59.5 %) and 9 (21.5 %) respectively]. Using simple linear regression analysis, abdominal striae was considered a risk factor for the development of POP (P value <0.001); however, when combined with other risk factors in a multivariate model, it had no effect on the development of POP.

Conclusion: Women with severe abdominal striae were found to have advanced degrees of POP with the apical compartment affected obviously.