Prevalence and risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse in female citizens of Baku

Aim. Study of prevalence and risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse in females in Baku.

Methods. Statistical observation unit was a woman aged 45-74 years. The sample size (710 women) was determined taking into account probable prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (20% according to literature) and margin of error (3%). All women were invited to maternity welfare centre, and a thorough examination was performed after their written consent was obtained.

Results. The proportion of women aged 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70-74 years was 26.5±1.7, 24.9±1.6, 23.1±1.6, 10.9±1.2, 8.2±1.0 and 6.4±0.9%, respectively. Prevalence of obesity in the named groups was 31.9, 34.5, 35.4, 36.4, 27.8 and 34.8%. Proportion of women with secondary and specialized secondary education was 58.5, 58.8, 53.7, 51.9, 51.7 and 67.4% resepctively. Among women of the corresponding age groups, physical work was recorded in 47.9, 53.7, 59.8, 58.4, 13.8 and 17.4% of cases, respectively. In past medical history, no surgeries were observed in 68.1, 77.4, 73.2, 77.9, 84.5 and 84.8% of cases, resepectively. Some women had no labour in past medical history (2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.5 and 4.3% in the same age groups). Statistically significantly prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse increases among those aged 60 years and older (51.6±3.6% at age 45-49 years and ≥76.6±4.8% at age 60 years and older, р=0.001), with a body mass index less than 25.0 and more than 30 kg/м2 (69.7±3.3 and 66.7±3.0%, р=0.01), with high parity and remarkable family history (63.0±2.6, р=0.01), severe connective tissue dysplasia (72.6±2.5%, р=0.001), in postmenopausal period (63.8±2.0%, р=0.01), and depending on education level (88.0±2.4% among those with pre-secondary education: р=0.001). Relative risk of pelvic organ prolapse in the population of Baku is lower compared to the literature data in the background of obesity, but is higher in the background of positive family history and depending on the amount of deliveries (p=0.05).

Conclusion. In Baku 59.9±1.8% of women aged 45-75 years have pelvic organ prolapse of different severity, incomplete uterine and vaginal prolapse are more prevalent (41.3±1.8 per 100 women); prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse is higher in women aged 60 years or older compared to those aged 45-49 (76.6±4.8% vs 51.6±3.6%, р=0.001).