“Connection between pelvic floor disorders, lumbo pelvic pain and sacro iliac joint instability among women, aged 22-70” Afghan Association for physical therapy (AAPT) Kabul, Afghanistan, 2023

Abstract

Background

Lumbo-pelvic pain, or low back pain, is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders people experience. Recent studies have shown a strong link between low back pain and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. In Afghanistan, low back pain is one of the main reasons why patients, particularly women, seek medical help. The goal of this study is to explore the connection between pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and the development of low back pain, as well as sacroiliac joint instability. The study also aims to improve people's understanding of how pelvic floor muscle problems can contribute to lumbo-pelvic pain or low back pain.

Method:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by reviewing the medical records of 790 eligible cases registered in the physiotherapy departments of Ali Abad Academic and Educational Hospital, Kabul Orthopedic Organization (KOO), and Kohistani Physiotherapy Clinic in Kabul, Afghanistan, from January to December 2023. We examined the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of women aged 22-70 who were affected by pelvic floor dysfunction. The data were gathered from the information available in the register books. To collect this data, we developed a data extraction form to pull information from the registers and medical records. The data were then entered and managed using MS Excel and Epi Info version 7.2.

Result:

Out of 790 patients, 742 were eligible to be included in this study, while 48 were excluded. Among the participants, 15.5% (115 women) had low back pain (LBP) due to disc problems, and 84.5% (627 women) experienced LBP with pain radiating to one or both legs caused by pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction. Of these 627 women, 574 had LBP along with sacroiliac (SI) joint instability, and 511 had LBP along with some form of urinary incontinence. The age group most affected by PFM dysfunction was women aged 43-53 years, and the condition was more common in women who had given birth to 4-7 children.

Conclusion:

The study findings support that more than half of women suffer from LBP had some form of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, rather than disc pathologies. Therefore it`s essential that the knowledge and awareness of medical staff and the people should be raised about the connection between PFMD and LBP. This way we can help women how to manage their LBP properly.