Association between metabolic syndrome and pelvic floor dysfunction in middle-aged to older Korean women

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) with female pelvic floor dysfunction in middle-aged to older Korean women. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed that included a total of 984 Korean women (>= 40 years old) who visited a comprehensive medical screening clinic. Pelvic floor dysfunction was assessed by the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20); higher scores indicated a greater symptom burden. RESULTS: The adjusted mean score on the PFDI-20, and especially the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 subscale, was significantly higher in subjects with MS than those without MS. Furthermore, the PFDI-20 and all 3 subscales were significantly increased in correlation with the number of MS components that were present (P < .05). In the multivariable analysis, MS was associated significantly with PFDI-20 (P = .002) and the 3 subscores (P < .05). CONCLUSION: MS was significantly associated with the pelvic floor dysfunction among middle-to old-aged Korean women. Physicians should pay more attention to the pelvic floor symptoms for the patients with MS.