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Review
. 2013 May;24(5):735-40.
doi: 10.1007/s00192-012-1913-x. Epub 2012 Aug 17.

Joint hypermobility, obstetrical outcomes, and pelvic floor disorders

Leise R Knoepp  1 , Kelly C McDermott, Alvaro Muñoz, Joan L Blomquist, Victoria L Handa
Affiliations
Review

Joint hypermobility, obstetrical outcomes, and pelvic floor disorders

Leise R Knoepp et al. Int Urogynecol J. 2013 May.

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: Benign joint hypermobility syndrome may be a risk factor for pelvic floor disorders. It is unknown whether hypermobility impacts the progress of childbirth, a known risk factor for pelvic floor disorders. Our objective was to investigate the association between joint hypermobility syndrome, obstetrical outcomes, and pelvic floor disorders. Our hypotheses were: (1) women with joint hypermobility are less likely to experience operative delivery and prolonged second-stage labor; and (2) pelvic floor disorders are associated with benign hypermobility syndrome, controlling for obstetrical history.

Methods: Joint hypermobility was measured in 587 parous women (participants in a longitudinal cohort study of pelvic floor disorders after childbirth). Their obstetrical histories were obtained from review of hospital records. Pelvic floor disorders were assessed using validated questionnaires and a structured examination for prolapse. Joint hypermobility and pelvic floor disorders were evaluated at enrollment (5-10 years after first delivery). We compared obstetrical outcomes and pelvic floor disorders between women with and without joint hypermobility, defined as a Beighton score ≥ 4.

Results: Hypermobility was diagnosed in 46 women (7.8 %) and was associated with decreased odds of cesarean after complete cervical dilation or operative vaginal delivery [odds ratio (OR)=0.51; 95 % confidence interval (CI):0.27-0.95]. Anal sphincter laceration was unlikely to occur in women with hypermobility (OR=0.19; 95 % CI 0.04-0.80). However, hypermobility was not associated with any pelvic floor disorder considered.

Conclusions: Benign joint hypermobility syndrome may facilitate spontaneous vaginal birth but does not appear to be a risk factor for pelvic floor disorders in the first decade after childbirth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Beighton Modification of the Carter and Wilkinson Scoring System. (Image reproduced by kind permission of Arthritis Research, UK.)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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