Rectus muscle diastasis in Italian women: determinants of disease severity, and associated disorders

• DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1360207
• Publication Date: 2024-03-11T04:46:06Z
• Authors: Alberto Sartori; Ahmad Tfaily; Emanuele Botteri; Jacopo Andreuccetti; Enrico Lauro; Gulser Caliskan; Giuseppe Verlato; Alberto Di Leo
• Keywords: Diastasis

Purpose Diastasis of rectus abdominis (DRA) refers to a separation the from linea alba, which is common in female population during pregnancy and postpartum period. The present study aimed at investigating DRA severity, risk factors associated disorders. Methods In cross-sectional study, web-based questionnaire was addressed 23,000 members Women's Association. comprised three parts, dedicated respectively diastasis characteristics, possible factors, related Faecal urinary incontinences were assessed using Wexner ICIQ-SF score, respectively. Risk for severity (<3, 3–5, >5 cm) evaluated by multinomial regression model. Results Four thousand six hundred twenty-nine women with mean age (SD) 39.8 (6.5) years median BMI 23.7 kg/m 2 (range 16.0–40.0) responded questionnaire. Proportion cm increased 22.8% norm weight 44.0% severely obese women, 10.0% nulliparous 39.3% >3 pregnancies. These associations confirmed multivariable analysis. abdominal hernia pelvic prolapse, whose prevalence more than doubled <3 (31.6% 9.7%, respectively) (68.2% 20.2%). addition, most patients reported postural pain incontinence, frequency severity. Conclusion that increases increasing number Larger between rectal muscles pain/discomfort, prolapse. Prospective studies are needed better evaluate factors.