Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women with Marfan or Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in a cohort of women with either Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Female patients with either Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were identified through a medical records search at two urban hospitals. Each patient's medical record was reviewed, and the history of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence was obtained through telephone interview. Twelve women with Marfan syndrome were identified. Among these women 5 (42%) reported a history of urinary incontinence and 4 (33%) reported a history of pelvic organ prolapse. Eight women with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were identified. Among these women 4 (50%) reported a history of urinary incontinence and 6 (75%) reported a history of pelvic organ prolapse. Women with Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have high rates of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. This finding supports the hypothesized etiologic role of connective tissue disorders as a factor in the pathogenesis of these conditions.