Female Pelvic Floor Disorders and Sexual Funcitons

描述（由申请人提供）：骨盆底疾病（PFDs），包括尿失禁、大便失禁和盆腔器官脱垂，影响三分之一的成年女性。这些条件对生活质量有着深远的影响，导致不适，尴尬和功能限制。此外，高达50%的PFDs女性报告性功能有问题。然而，目前尚不清楚患有PFDs的女性的性投诉是否可归因于PFDs或其他因素（即，关系冲突或共病状况）。直到最近，对这一主题的研究一直受到缺乏调查工具来评估女性性功能障碍（FSD）和PFDs的阻碍。 我们的研究目的是探讨PFDs对女性性功能的影响。我们假设PFDs与FSD独立相关，成功治疗PFDs将恢复性功能。我们提出两个具体目标：（1）使用有效的工具，我们将确定PFDs（尿失禁，大便失禁和盆腔器官脱垂）是否与性投诉和性功能障碍独立相关;（2）在接受骨盆肌肉理疗的尿失禁或大便失禁女性中，我们将确定PFDs的改善是否与性功能的改善相关。 NICHD高度重视增加关于人类性行为的知识的研究，包括疾病或残疾的影响。 这一建议将提高我们对PFDs女性性功能的理解。它还将作为进一步研究非手术和手术干预对PFDs女性性功能影响的基础。拟议的研究将为候选人提供宝贵的研究培训和经验。 获奖期间的职业发展将包括在彭博公共卫生学院接受流行病学、生物统计学和临床试验设计方面的正式培训。约翰霍普金斯的环境为临床研究和经验丰富的科学家提供了强大的基础设施。这种强大的组合将为候选人提供必要的技能和经验，成为一个成功的，独立资助的调查员。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse, affect one-third of adult women. These conditions have a profound affect on quality-of-life, resulting in discomfort, embarrassment and functional limitations. In addition, up to 50% of women with PFDs report a problem with sexual function. However, it is unclear whether the sexual complaints of women with PFDs are attributable to PFDs or to other factors (i.e., relationship conflict or co-morbid conditions). Until recently, research on this subject has been hampered by the lack of survey instruments to assess female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and PFDs. Our research objective is to investigate the impact of PFDs on female sexual function. We hypothesize that PFDs are independently associated with FSD and that successful treatment of PFDs will restore sexual function. We propose two specific aims: (1) Using validated instruments, we will determine whether PFDs (urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse) are independently associated with sexual complaints and sexual dysfunction; and (2) among women with urinary or fecal incontinence treated with pelvic muscle physiotherapy, we will determine whether improvement in continence is associated with improvement in sexual function. The NICHD has given high priority to research that increases knowledge about human sexuality, including the impact of illness or disability. This proposal will improve our understanding of sexual function in women with PFDs. It will also serve as a foundation for further research on the impact of non-surgical and surgical interventions on the sexual function of women with PFDs. The proposed research will provide valuable research training and experience for the candidate. Career development during the award will include formal training in epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical trial design at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. The environment at Johns Hopkins provides a strong infrastructure for clinical research and mentorship by experienced scientists. This powerful combination will provide the candidate with the necessary skills and experience to become a successful, independently funded investigator.