盆底障碍性疾病盆底自主收缩肌肉力量研究

目的比较正常人和盆底障碍性疾病(PFD)患者的盆底肌肉功能。方法对2007年11月至2008年4月在本院就诊的压力性尿失禁(SUI)、盆腔器官脱垂(POP)、POP合并SUI患者以及健康对照组各10例,行阴道指诊、阴道挤压力检测盆底肌肉收缩力量进行评估。结果肛提肌肌肉指诊力量和阴道挤压力呈正相关(r=0.549,P<0.05)。对照组阴道指诊肌力等级为(4.1±0.8),阴道挤压压力为(38.4±21.1)mmH2O,15 s内可自主收缩肛提肌(6.0±1.2)次,收缩持续时间为(4.78±1.78)s。SUI组、POP组、SUI+POP组阴道指诊肌力等级分别为(2.6±0.7)(、3.2±1.2)和(3.0±1.4),均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);阴道内挤压压力分别为(20.2±11.1)、(13.8±10.3)、(20.0±10.4)mmH2O,均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。SUI组15 s内可自主收缩肛提肌(3.6±1.0)次,显著少于对照组(P<0.05),收缩持续时间为(2.40±1.35)s,与对照组比较显著缩短(P<0.05)。结论肛提肌的阴道指诊的肌力测定,简单易行,可在临床广泛应用。PFD患者普遍存在肛提肌肉收缩力量减弱。SUI患者收缩速率慢、收缩持续时间短,不能对抗连续的腹压增高可能是SUI的发病机制。     

Pelvic floor muscle evaluation in incontinent patients

The aim of this study was to assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and perception and its correlation with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). One hundred and one women were divided into two groups according to the presence (G1=51 patients) or absence (G2=50 patients) of SUI. Subjective [urine stream interruption test (UST), visual survey of perineal contraction and transvaginal digital palpation to assess pelvic muscle contraction] and objective evaluations of pelvic floor muscles in all patients were performed (vaginal manometry). During the UST, 25.5% of G1 patients and 80% of G2 patients were able to interrupt the urine stream (p<0.05). Digital evaluation of pelvic muscular contraction showed higher strength in G2 than in G1 patients (p<0.0001). Perineometer evaluation of PFM strength was significantly higher in the continent group (p<0.001). Pelvic floor muscle weakness in incontinent patients demonstrates the importance of functional and objective evaluation of this group of muscles.This revised version was published online in February 2005 with corrections to the third authors name. The name of this author, De Oliveira Orsi Gameiro M, was not correctly rendered in the original version.     

The effect of postpartum pelvic floor muscle exercise in the prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postpartum pelvic floor muscle exercise in the prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence. A prospective comparison design of 99 matched pairs (n=198) of mothers, a training group and a control group, was used. Eight weeks postpartum the training group attended an 8-week intensive pelvic floor muscle exercise course, training in groups led by a physical therapist for 45 minutes once a week. In addition they were asked to exercise at home at least three times per week. The control group followed the ordinary written postpartum instructions from the hospital. Pelvic floor muscle strength was measured pretreatment at the eighth, and post-treatment at the 16th week after delivery, using a vaginal balloon catheter connected to a pressure transducer. Vaginal palpation and observation of inward movement of the balloon catheter during contraction were used to test the ability to perform correct the pelvic floor muscle contraction. Urinary leakage was registered by interview, specially designed instruments to measure how women perceive SUI, and a standardized pad test. At baseline (8 weeks postpartum) there was no significant difference in the number of women with urinary incontinence in the training group compared to the control group. At 16 weeks postpartum, after the 8-week treatment period, there was a significant (P<0.01) difference in favor of the training group. In addition, a significantly greater improvement in pelvic floor muscle strength between test 1 and test 2 was found in the training group compared to the control group. The results show that a specially designed postpartum pelvic floor muscle exercise course is effective in increasing pelvic floor muscle strength and reducing urinary incontinence in the immediate postpartum period. EDITORIAL COMMENT: This paper is one of only a few looking at the efficacy of a rigorous pelvic floor muscle exercise training regime to help women with incontinence in the postpartum period. Whether or not these results will translate long-term into a lower incidence of urinary incontinence as these women age, is unknown, and may never be known. However, this paper points out that there is a definite benefit from pelvic floor muscle exercise for the treatment of postpartum incontinence, and we can use this information to more strongly counsel our patients in the use of these exercises.     

The effect of training with vaginal weighted cones and pelvic floor exercises on the strength of the pelvic floor muscles: A pilot study

A pretest-post-test design (n=14) was used to investigate pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength over a 2-month training period using vaginal cones with pelvic floor exercises in the treatment of female stress incontinence, and to correlate any changes in muscle strength with objective and subjective measures of stress incontinence. PFM strength was assessed by vaginal examination and the ability to retain the cones. The symptom of stress incontinence was assessed using rating scales, and measured objectively by the extended pad test. The results showed a significant increase in muscle strength (P<0.05). An unexpected finding was that most of the improvement in PFM function occurred in a 1-week baseline assessment period before training was commenced. It is therefore suggested that the increase in force generation occurred due to a process of neural adaptation rather than muscle hypertrophy. No significant correlations were found between muscle strength and objective or subjective measures of stress incontinence.Editorial Comment: Vaginal cones are gaining in popularity as a method of therapy for stress incontinence. As in this study, the symptom of stress incontinence was enough to begin treatment and objective documentation of the diagnosis was not undertaken. The therapy has no side-effects and only requires that the patient is motivated enough to put the cone in the vagina and take it out after a prescribed time period. Everything else is automatic. Biofeedback from the perception of the cone falling out provides the stimulus for pelvic floor contraction. Success rates are high, with 21% cured and 29% improved for an overall improvement rate of 50%. Such therapies may be tried before diagnosis, and certainly before expensive surgical treatment.     

The quantification of levator muscle resting tone by digital assessment

The biomechanical properties of the puborectalis muscle are likely to be important for pelvic organ support. However, neither elasticity nor its clinical correlate, muscle resting tone, have received much attention to date. We therefore conducted a prospective study to test a newly developed resting tone scale for validity and reproducibility. Ninety-eight patients underwent a physical examination including prolapse staging and palpation of the levator ani. They were also assessed by 4D translabial ultrasound for levator hiatal dimensions and prolapse assessment. Resting tone was negatively associated with anterior and posterior compartment prolapse. An independent test–retest series yielded a weighted kappa of 0.55 (CI 0.44–0.66), implying “moderate” repeatability. Resting tone of the puborectalis muscle can be determined by digital palpation. It is moderately repeatable and associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Palpation of resting tone may be a useful new tool for assessing women with pelvic floor dysfunction.     

Female pelvic floor reflex responses

The object of this work was to study bulbocavernosus and deep pudendal reflex (BCR and DPR) latencies and amplitudes as an indicator of pelvic nerve damage in patients with pelvic floor disorders, with or without a previous surgery. 124 women were studied: 68 were normal, 38 had genital prolapse (GP) and 18 had recurrent GP. Clinical and urodynamic studies were carried out. Delayed reflex responses were found in 44/56 patients (79%), 27/38 in the genital prolapse group (71%) and 17/18 in the group with recurrent GP (94%). Thus the evaluation of pelvic floor reflex responses is a test that can be taken into account in the diagnosis of management of pelvic floor disorders.     

Pelvic floor disorders among indigenous women living in Xingu Indian Park, Brazil

Introduction and hypothesis  Current assessment for pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) allows comparison between different communities. Methods  A total of 377 indigenous women living in Xingu Indian Park were evaluated. The pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) was the system used to quantification the staging of pelvic support. The pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed by a perineometer. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors that were associated with prolapse. Results  Only 5.8% of women reported urinary incontinence. The overall distribution of POP-Q stage system was the following: 15.6% stage 0, 19.4% stage I, 63.9% stage II and 0.8% stage III. Parity and age were the risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse (p < 0.0001). Conclusions  Urinary incontinence was uncommon in Xingu indigenous women. Like non-indigenous communities, age and parity were the most important risk factors to the genital prolapse.     

Safety and effectiveness of Colpexin Sphere in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse

Our objective was to determine the safety and effectiveness of Colpexin Sphere in women with advanced genital prolapse. A total of 39 subjects were enrolled in our prospective multicenter clinical trial, and 27 completed the full 16-week assessment. At baseline, subjects were fitted with a sphere, instructed on insertion and removal, and educated on a regimen of pelvic floor muscle exercises performed with the device in place. Efficacy was evaluated by a baseline vs 16-week comparison of pelvic organ prolapse staging and pelvic floor muscle strength assessment. Safety evaluation included, but was not limited to, an assessment of vaginal mucosal integrity. Subjects also completed a patient satisfaction questionnaire at the end of the study. Improvement in the prolapse of at least one vaginal segment was seen in 81.5% of the subjects, while 63% exhibited improved muscle function on digital examination at 16 weeks. Twenty-five (92.6%) would recommend the device to treat prolapse, and most found it easy to insert (96.3%) and remove (100%). In short-term usage, problems with urination (29.6%) and defecation (72%) were reported, primarily due to device displacement. Two subjects developed superficial vaginal mucosal ulceration, which resolved spontaneously. No significant adverse events were reported.     

Pelvic floor muscle function in women presenting with pelvic floor disorders

Introduction and hypothesis  This observational study was undertaken to determine knowledge, prior instruction, frequency of performance, and ability to perform pelvic floor muscle exercises in a group of women presenting for evaluation of pelvic floor disorders. Methods  Three hundred twenty-five women presenting for evaluation of pelvic floor disorders were questioned concerning knowledge and performance of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PMEs) and then examined to determine pelvic floor muscle contraction strength. Results  The majority of women (73%) had heard of PMEs, but only 42% had been instructed to perform them and 62.5% stated they received verbal instruction only. Only 23.4% of patients could perform pelvic muscle contractions with Oxford Scale 3, 4, or 5 strengths. Increased age, parity, and stage of prolapse were associated with lower Oxford scores. Conclusions  Although most women with pelvic floor disorders are familiar with PMEs, less than one fourth could perform adequate contractions at the time of initial evaluation.     

Stress urinary incontinence and genital trauma after female pelvic trauma

Combined stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and genital prolapse after fracture of the female pelvis has not been well described to date; four such cases are reported. Three of the patients had undergone reconstructive urogynecologic surgery prior to referral. None of the patients had a history of urinary incontinence or genital prolapse prior to injury. In order to correct persistent urinary incontinence and prolapse the following operations were performed: pubovaginal sling and transvaginal cystocele repair, Raz needle suspension and rectus muscle graft to the pelvic floor followed by a unilateral Burch colposuspension. On follow-up at a mean interval of 14.2 months (range 12–17), 2 have mild SUI and all 4 are without significant genital prolapse.     

Effects of voluntary pelvic floor contraction and relaxation on the urethral closure pressure

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of voluntary pelvic floor contraction and voluntary pelvic floor relaxation on the urethral closure pressure at rest. In 104 consecutive women, three urethral pressure profiles were performed: standard profile at rest, with voluntary pelvic floor contraction and with voluntary pelvic floor relaxation. A low-pressure urethra was defined as a maximum urethral closure pressure of 20 cmH₂O. The age ranged between 24 and 82 years. The maximum urethral closure pressure at rest was significantly augmented during pelvic floor contraction (mean: 18 cmH₂O). Compared with the first profile, it decreased significantly with pelvic floor relaxation (mean decrement: 8 cmH₂O). A low-pressure urethra was detected in 5 women during the first profile and in a further 11 during pelvic floor relaxation. Because of the significant influence of pelvic floor activity on the urethral closure pressure at rest, the scientific and clinical credibility of urethral pressure measurements remain questionable.Part of the results were presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society (ICS) 1999 in Denver and at national German and Swiss gynecology meetingsEditorial Comment: This very interesting study on the influence of the pelvic floor muscles on urethral pressure gives basic information about the functionality of the urethra. There is still a great lack of knowledge as we really do not know what exactly we measure when we perform an urethral pressure profile. The study points out that further investigations are necessary that should focus on the different parts of the pelvic floor muscles and their influence on the continence mechanisms. New investigative options such as magnetic nuclear resonance (MNR) and perineal ultrasound should be involved. It would have been even more interesting if the results of the performed perineal ultrasound would have been described beside the palpation of the muscle strength     

Effectiveness of two conservative modes of physical therapy in women with urinary stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is the most prevalent form of female urinary incontinence and it affects approximately 5% of younger women to nearly 50% of elderly women. Women have traditionally been treated with pelvic floor muscle exercises alone or with the use of vaginal cones. A new treatment mode, vaginal balls, has been developed. The aim of this study was to compare pelvic floor muscle training with and without vaginal balls and to collect information on women's subjective feelings about the two training modes. The study was carried out as a prospective randomized clinical trial. Thirty-seven women aged 25-65 were assigned either to a pelvic floor muscle training program or to a training program using weighted vaginal balls for 4 months. Treatment outcomes were assessed by a pad-test with a standardized bladder volume, vaginal palpation, and by women's self-reported perceptions. The sense of coherence score was compared with the score for a normal population. Ninety-three percent of the women completed the study. Both training modes were effective in reducing urinary leakage: with vaginal balls (P < 0.0001) and without (P < 0.019); and increasing pelvic floor muscle strength: with vaginal balls (P < 0.0039) and without (P < 0.0002). However, the reduction of urinary leakage after four months of exercise in the training group with vaginal balls was significantly better (P < 0.03) than the results in the group training with pelvic floor muscle exercises alone. The study found the weighted vaginal balls to be a good alternative for training pelvic floor muscles in women with stress urinary incontinence.     

Initial experience with a new method for the dynamic assessment of pelvic floor function in women: the Kolpexin Pull Test

The aim of this study was to evaluate a newly developed, simple test for assessing pelvic floor muscular function in women. Pelvic floor strength in women with symptomatic pelvic floor dysfunction was evaluated with a newly developed assessment tool, the Kolpexin Pull Test, and compared to a clinically validated digital pelvic floor strength assessment scale (DPA). A 36-mm Kolpexin sphere was inserted into the vagina above the levator plate and connected to a digital tensiometer/force gauge. The force required to remove the sphere was recorded for three resting trials and three maximum pelvic floor contractions. Results of the DPA and Kolpexin Pull Test were analyzed using ANOVAs of contrast variables, intraclass correlations, and regression analyses. Twenty-one women participated in the study. Age range was 36–85 years, parity range was 2–5. All six trials required less than 5 min to perform in each patient. Intraperson maximum contraction data were correlated at 0.96 (95% CI: 0.91, 0.98), and were greater at higher DPA scores (p=0.016). There were positive correlations between the maximum contraction and DPA data (adjusted R²=0.52; p <0.001), and the maximum contraction minus resting vs DPA data (adjusted R²=0.54; p< 0.001). The Kolpexin Pull Test is reproducible, rapid, and correlates with digital clinical assessment of pelvic floor strength during maximal contractions.Abbreviations DPA Digital pelvic assessment - MC Maximum pelvic floor contraction - RP Relaxed pelvic floor Editorial Comment: This paper is an interesting pilot study of a new technique to measure pelvic muscle strength. Several other techniques have already been described. As the authors have stated, all methods have flaws, including the relatively easy and reproducible digital pelvic assessment (DPA). The Kolpexin sphere offers the hope of more objective testing than the DPA, overcomes the contribution of Valsalva to the pressure perineometry readings, and is easier to perform than ultrasound or EMG. The authors did not fully convince us of the objectivity of the measurements, as the study was not blinded. Also, we do not know whether the size of the sphere altered the readings in women in different heights and/or weights. If, on further testing, this technique is shown to have inter- as well as intraexaminer reproducibility, it may contribute to the evaluation of patients for management as well as for research.     

Levator function in nulliparous women

 Pelvic floor muscle exercises are one of the main conservative options for the treatment of female urinary incontinence. Despite this widespread use, there is very little information on `normal' pelvic floor function. In a prospective observational study the authors intended to define the spectrum of normality for pelvic floor function in women, assessing 206 nulliparous women recruited early in their first ongoing pregnancy. Levator function was evaluated using translabial ultrasound: cranioventral displacement of the bladder neck was utilized to quantify levator activity. The presence of a reflex contraction of the external perineal muscles and levator on coughing was registered, as was the strongest of at least three contractions. Only 41 of 206 womjen (20%) had ever been taught pelvic floor exercises by a health professional, and this had been exclusively verbal. Teaching had no influence on levator strength. Spontaneous contractions on request were obtained in 172 women (85%). Advice was necessary in 96 women (47%) in order to obtain an optimal contraction. Reflex muscle activation on coughing was documented in 118 women (57%) and was associated with a stronger contraction (P<0.001). Reported use of the levator muscle on intercourse was strongly associated with increased levator activity (P<0.001). Motivational factors mentioned were boyfriends, mothers, other female relatives and, most commonly, articles in popular magazines, e.g. Cosmospolitan and Cleo. Received: 11 March 2002 / Accepted: 2 July 2002 Acknowledgements The author was supported by a RANZCOG Mayne Nickless Research Fellowship for the duration of this study.     

Pelvic floor muscle strength and thickness in continent and incontinent nulliparous pregnant women

The aim of the study was to measure pelvic floor muscle function in continent and incontinent nulliparous pregnant women. The study group consisted of 103 nulliparous pregnant women at 20 weeks of pregnancy. Women reporting urinary incontinence once per week or more during the previous month were classified as incontinent. Function was measured by vaginal squeeze pressure (muscle strength) and increment in thickness of the superficial pelvic floor muscles (urogenital diaphragm) assessed by perineal ultrasound. Seventy-one women were classified as continent and 32 women as incontinent. Continent women had statistically significantly higher maximal vaginal squeeze pressure and increment in muscle thickness when compared with incontinent women. There was a strong correlation between measurements of vaginal squeeze pressure and perineal ultrasound measurements of increment in muscle thickness. This study demonstrates statistically significant differences in pelvic floor muscle function measured by strength and thickness in continent compared with incontinent nulliparous pregnant women. Editorial Comment: This study evaluated pelvic floor muscle function in 103 nulliparous continent and incontinent women at 18–20 weeks gestation. Pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed by measuring vaginal squeeze pressure, and thickness of the urogenital diaphragm during both relaxation and contraction was measured using perineal ultrasound. The authors found a statistically significant higher vaginal squeeze pressure and higher mean increment in muscle thickness in the continent compared with incontinent group as well as a strong correlation between pelvic floor muscle strength and increment in thickness. Although describing several benefits of ultrasonography in assessing pelvic floor muscles, the authors did acknowledge the difficulty in identifying and measuring these muscles, and the learning curve involved with perineal ultrasound. Another limitation was the subjective classification of continence status based on self-reported symptoms. The implication of low pelvic floor muscle strength and thickness as risk factors for the development of urinary incontinence is beyond the scope of this study.     

Reproducibility of grading scales of pelvic muscle strength: standard versus tampon scale

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the reproducibility of an objective scale utilizing a tampon to assess pelvic muscle strength and to compare it to a digital evaluation of muscle strength [1]. Thirty women presenting to the office were enrolled in the study. Their pelvic floor muscle strength was separately assessed by both examiners using both scales. The reproducibility of the scales was then analyzed by Cohen's measure of interrater agreement. The tampon scale was found to have a measure of agreement of 0.76 (excellent interrater agreement if >0.75). In contrast, the digital scale was found to have a measure of agreement of 0.68 (fair agreement if 0.40–0.75). Therefore, the tampon scale is an easy and reproducible approach for assessing pelvic floor muscle strength.Editorial Comment: A major component of adequate pelvic floor function requires not only fascial integrity but also normal function of the levator ani musculature. Despite the obvious contribution to support and to the function of the pelvic viscera, we have yet to develop a simple, readily available tool to objectively assess the strength of the levator ani musculature. The authors of this simple pilot study attempt to show us such a tool and try to demonstrate its interrater reproducibility. Although the authors should be applauded for their attempt, it may be that their instrument is instead measuring resistance to pull-out rather than actual levator function. This resistance to pull-out could be a cumulative effect of levator strength, anatomic abnormalities such as cystocele, enlarged genital hiatus or a tight perineum, as well as environmental factors such as degree of lubrication.     

The effect of pelvic floor training on sexual function of treated patients

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of improvements in urinary incontinence resulting from pelvic floor rehabilitation on the sexual function of patients. The study involved 42 clinic patients who received pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment. Their sexual histories were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Pelvic muscle strength was measured with a perineometer. Improvement in incontinence was measured with the pad test. Seventeen women reported decreased sexual desire before the treatment; 5 of these indicated improvement after treatment. Nine of 17 women who experienced dyspareunia prior to treatment reported an improvement afterwards, and four women reported complete relief from pain. Five of 15 women who complained of difficulty in reaching climax before the treatment experienced improvement in this area. In conclusion, an improvement in sexual desire, performance during coitus and achievement of orgasm were observed in women who received pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation. No change was seen in the arousal and resolution stages of sexual activity.Abbreviation FES Functional electrical stimulationEditorial Comment: Previous studies suggest that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high amongst women with urinary incontinence. Some data exist about the effect of surgical treatment of urinary incontinence and its effect on sexual function. Data also exist that women with sexual dysfunction due to painful conditions improve with pelvic floor therapy. It could be expected that women with urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction show better overall improvement of both conditions when treated with pelvic floor therapy rather than with surgery. Patients in this study showed improvement in urinary incontinence with pelvic floor therapy. They also had a marked decrease in dyspareunia. Overall, there was improvement in sexual function, particularly an increase in desire. Unfortunately, the study does not address whether this improvement appears to be related to a decrease in incontinence, a decrease in pain with intercourse or an additive effect.     

Pelvic floor muscle function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction

Introduction and hypothesis

The objectives of this study were to investigate the level of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) referred by gynaecologists and urologists for in-hospital pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), and to identity associated factors for a low level of PFM function.

Methods

Data of women with PFD referred to a PFMT programme were included in a retrospective chart review. Measurement of PFM function performed by digital vaginal palpation included: voluntary PFM contraction, PFM strength (Modified Oxford Grading Scale) and PFM static endurance.

Results

Data of 998 women, mean age 56 (SD 13) years, with PFD (urinary incontinence, n?=?757, anal incontinence, n?=?36, pelvic organ prolapse, n?=?111, other PFD, n?=?94) were analysed. In all, 690 women (70 %) were, at baseline, unable to perform correct voluntary PFM contraction, mean PFM strength was 1.5 (SD 1.0) points, mean PFM static endurance was 16.7 (SD 16.1) seconds. Age ≥ 65 years and year of referral > 2000 were significantly (p?< 0.01) associated with the ability to perform correct PFM contraction. Likewise, year of referral was significantly associated with high PFM strength (p?< 0.01).

Conclusions

The majority of the women were unable to perform correct voluntary PFM contraction and almost all had low PFM strength. The most important factor associated with a low level of PFM function was age.     

Vaginal noise: prevalence, bother and risk factors in a general female population aged 45–85 years

Introduction and hypothesis  Vaginal noise (VN) is a symptom of pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction and has been described in a few studies. No other risk factors have been described besides parity and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Underlying mechanisms of VN are unclear. Aims of this study were to describe prevalence, bother and relation between VN and PF (muscle)(dys)function. Methods  A cross-sectional study was performed on a general population of 2,921 women (aged 45–85 years). Questionnaires were filled in by 1,397 women, and 800 were selected at random to undergo vaginal examination for POP Quantification and PF muscle function assessment. Chi-square tests, Student's t test and multivariate logistic regression were performed (P < 0.05). Results  Response rate was 62.7%. Prevalence of VN was 12.8%; 72.1% reported only a little bother. Odds ratios for parity and solid stool were high. Conclusions  VN was strongly related to many symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, but it was only causing a little bother.     

Epidemiology of prolapse and incontinence questionnaire: validation of a new epidemiologic survey

The epidemiology of prolapse and incontinence questionnaire (EPIQ) was developed to screen for female pelvic floor disorders (PFD). Content and face validity, reliability, internal consistency and criterion validity of the EPIQ to detect the presence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), overactive bladder (OAB) and anal incontinence (AI) is presented. Cronbach's alpha; Spearman's, kappa, intraclass correlations, factor analysis and Chi-Squared tests were used for analysis. Questions related to PFD proved internally consistent (alpha = 0.91) and reproducible (correlations >0.70) for all but three items on the EPIQ. Positive and negative predictive values of the EPIQ to detect PFD were: POP = 76% and 97%, SUI = 88% and 87%, OAB = 77% and 90% and AI = 61% and 91% respectively. EPIQ is a psychometrically validated screening instrument that may identify women at high risk of having pelvic floor disorders in large undiagnosed populations.