The capacity of pelvic floor muscle contraction influence in the urinary incontinence severity and the quality of life of the women?

Introduction: Urinary incontinence (UI) is an involuntary loss of urine that affects up to 60% of the world's female population. Women with UI may have weakness of the pelvic floor muscles (MAP), however, no studies evaluating the influence of MAP strength on UI severity and quality of life (QoL) on urinary incontinence were found. Objective: To compare severity of UI and QV among women with normal MAP strength and weakness. Methodology: An observational study was carried out with 37 women, divided into two groups according to the contraction capacity of the MAPs evaluated by the Modified Oxford Scale (EMO). Women with MAP contractions between 0 and 2 degrees in the EMO formed the Weak MAP Group (GMAPF, n = 20); and between 3 and 5 degrees the Normal MAP Group (GMAPN, n = 17). Personal data collection, assessment of UI severity with Incontinence Severity Index Questionnaire (ISI-Q) and QOL with the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) were performed. In the physical evaluation, the 1 hour pad test, Function Evaluation and Manometry of the MAP were performed. In the statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests were used, considering p≤0.05. Results: The GMAPN group had a poor QOL related to the sleep and disposition domain (p=0.048). There was no difference between groups in the other KHQ domains and in the severity of UI (p = 0.257). Conclusion: MAP weakness did not present worse severity of UI or QoL, except in the sleep and disposition domain.