Open AccessA manometry classification to assess pelvic floor muscle function in women
Author(s) -
Priscylla Helouyse Angelo,
Larissa Ramalho Dantas Varella,
Maria Clara Eugênia de Oliveira,
Monayane Grazielly Leite Matias,
Maria Aneilma Ribeiro de Azevedo,
Luzinete Medeiros de Almeida,
Paulo Roberto Medeiros de Azevedo,
Maria Thereza Albuquerque Barbosa Cabral Micussi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0187045
Subject(s) - medicine , anorectal manometry , pelvic floor , scale (ratio) , pelvic floor muscle , linear regression , mathematics , surgery , statistics , physics , constipation , quantum mechanics
Objective To develop a classification scale for manometry of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in Brazilian women, according to the modified Oxford scale. Methods A cross sectional study, with 288 women enrolled in the Maternity, Natal, Brazil. Manometry and PFM strength data were collected and classified according to the modified Oxford scale. A simple linear regression was performed to determine the classification scale of manometry using the modified Oxford scale as the explanatory variable and the arithmetic mean of the manometry measurements as the response variable. Results The average age was 52.80 (±8.78; CI: 51.67–53.93) years. Manometry showed an average of 35.1 (±22.7; CI: 32.1–38.0) cmH 2 O and most women (29.7%) scored grade 3 on the modified Oxford scale. According to the proposed scale, values between 7.5 to 14.5 cmH 2 O correspond to very weak pressure; 14.6 to 26.5 cmH 2 O represent weak pressure; 26.6 to 41.5 cmH 2 O represent moderate pressure; 41.6 to 60.5 cmH 2 O represent good pressure, and values above 60.6 cmH 2 O correspond to strong pressure. Conclusion Manometry values were rated on a five-point scale. It is possible to rank the pressure levels performed by voluntary contraction of PFM with this new scale.