Risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse in Iranian women: a cross-sectional study

Background and aims: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition which affects on a large proportion of women. The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors of POP in Iranian women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the role of demographic, anthropometric and clinical characteristics in POP disease in a sample of 365 females in Ilam, Iran. Examinations were performed according to Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ) technique in dorsal lithotomic position. Then, the sample divided into two groups as with and without prolapse. Then, unilabiate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Totally, 365 women participated in this study. The prevalence of POP was 80.8%. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant differences between groups with and without POP based on age, maximum birth weight, BMI, pregnancy, delivery mode, delivery operative and delivery position. But after multivariate analysis, the most significant factors identified as risk factors for POP were age (OR= 1.12, 95% CI= 1.02-1.23, P= 0.02), normal vaginal delivery (NVD; OR= 6.18, 95% CI= 1.43-26.75, P= 0.01) and episiotomy (OR= 30, 95% CI= 5.69-158.11, P= 0.000). Conclusion: Findings of the study showed that several risk factors could collaborate in creating of POP. However; body mass index and number of pregnancies are modifiable factors. So, maternal care providers should educate women for maintaining the ideal weight and decreasing the number of pregnancy in order to prevent POP.