World Incontinence Day: problem that affects millions is also a focus of biomechanic study
13-03-2020
Urinary incontinence is the most common pelvic disorder among females, greatly affecting their quality of life. Its prevalence varies from 8 to 45% and has a considerable economic impact on health services. The most common type of incontinence in women is stress incontinence, defined as the complaint of involuntary leakage of urine 1,2 following effort or exertion, or during sneezing or coughing 3,4.
It’s a problem out of the public eye that affects millions. However, thanks to growing awareness of the consequences for the patient, both physical and social, there is a increasing interest in analyzing the symptoms and looking for solutions.
INEGI’s Biomechanics Research Group has an important role in the study of the biomechanics of the pelvic floor cavity, including the characteristics associated with stress incontinence. Using computational tools, we have been working on the ability to predict what factors are responsible for the development of this pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD).
Among several studies, we highlight the effect of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) loading on the pelvic floor muscles induced by different types of exercise in elite athletes 5, the characterization of the in vivo biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles 6, and the simulation of the effect of the stiffness of implanted mesh and urethral mobility 7
We also highlight an innovative methodology developed at INEGI, based on inverse finite element analysis (FEA), to estimate in vivo biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) of women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). For this purpose, we implemented a set of optimization algorithms and developed 3D computational models, based on MRI scan data.
Through this methodology, our partners in the medical community have observed, for example, that the pelvic floor muscle of women with stress incontinence is softer than that of asymptomatic women. Key information to better understand this pathology and develop better treatments.
The development of 3D computational models and simulations developed by INEGI have the potential to change the way the health sector and hospitals deal with the treatment of pelvic disorders.
We believe that, in the near future, these methodologies may help predict the results of pelvic surgeries with implants, contributing to a favorable decision-making and preventing complications to the patient.
Article by Elisabete Silva, researcher at INEGI.
1. Bø K. Pelvic floor muscle training is effective in treatment of female stress urinary incontinence, but how does it work? Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2004; 15: 76–84.
2. Bø K, Sherburn M. Evaluation of Female Pelvic-Floor Muscle Function and Strength. Phys Ther 2005; 85: 269–282.
3. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, et al. The standardisation of terminology in lower urinary tract function: Report from the standardisation sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Neurourol Urodyn 2002; 21: 37–49.
4. Thyer I, Shek C, Dietz HP. New imaging method for assessing pelvic floor biomechanics. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2008; 31: 201–205.
5. Roza T Da, Brandão S, Oliveira D, et al. Football practice and urinary incontinence: Relation between morphology, function and biomechanics. J Biomech 2015; 48: 1587–1592.
6. Silva MET, Brandão S, Parente MPL, et al. Biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles of continent and incontinent women using an inverse finite element analysis. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2017; 5842: 1–11.
7. Brandão S, Parente M, Da Roza TH, et al. On the Stiffness of the Mesh and Urethral Mobility: A Finite Element Analysis. J Biomech Eng 2017; 139: 081002.
It’s a problem out of the public eye that affects millions. However, thanks to growing awareness of the consequences for the patient, both physical and social, there is a increasing interest in analyzing the symptoms and looking for solutions.
INEGI’s Biomechanics Research Group has an important role in the study of the biomechanics of the pelvic floor cavity, including the characteristics associated with stress incontinence. Using computational tools, we have been working on the ability to predict what factors are responsible for the development of this pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD).
Among several studies, we highlight the effect of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) loading on the pelvic floor muscles induced by different types of exercise in elite athletes 5, the characterization of the in vivo biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles 6, and the simulation of the effect of the stiffness of implanted mesh and urethral mobility 7
We also highlight an innovative methodology developed at INEGI, based on inverse finite element analysis (FEA), to estimate in vivo biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) of women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). For this purpose, we implemented a set of optimization algorithms and developed 3D computational models, based on MRI scan data.
Through this methodology, our partners in the medical community have observed, for example, that the pelvic floor muscle of women with stress incontinence is softer than that of asymptomatic women. Key information to better understand this pathology and develop better treatments.
The development of 3D computational models and simulations developed by INEGI have the potential to change the way the health sector and hospitals deal with the treatment of pelvic disorders.
We believe that, in the near future, these methodologies may help predict the results of pelvic surgeries with implants, contributing to a favorable decision-making and preventing complications to the patient.
Article by Elisabete Silva, researcher at INEGI.
1. Bø K. Pelvic floor muscle training is effective in treatment of female stress urinary incontinence, but how does it work? Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2004; 15: 76–84.
2. Bø K, Sherburn M. Evaluation of Female Pelvic-Floor Muscle Function and Strength. Phys Ther 2005; 85: 269–282.
3. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, et al. The standardisation of terminology in lower urinary tract function: Report from the standardisation sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Neurourol Urodyn 2002; 21: 37–49.
4. Thyer I, Shek C, Dietz HP. New imaging method for assessing pelvic floor biomechanics. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2008; 31: 201–205.
5. Roza T Da, Brandão S, Oliveira D, et al. Football practice and urinary incontinence: Relation between morphology, function and biomechanics. J Biomech 2015; 48: 1587–1592.
6. Silva MET, Brandão S, Parente MPL, et al. Biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles of continent and incontinent women using an inverse finite element analysis. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2017; 5842: 1–11.
7. Brandão S, Parente M, Da Roza TH, et al. On the Stiffness of the Mesh and Urethral Mobility: A Finite Element Analysis. J Biomech Eng 2017; 139: 081002.
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