Generalized Muscle Quality Loss as a Risk Factor for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Single-Center, Observational Study
Abstract Among the physiological changes associated with aging, myopenia due to increased amounts of fatty tissue in muscles and loss of muscle mass have recently gained attention. This study retrospectively examined the relationship between generalized muscle quality and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Participants comprised 25 patients between 40 and 79 years old showing a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system stage of 3 or higher who underwent surgery between 2017 and 2019. Control cases comprised 23 patients with benign gynecological diseases who underwent surgery without POP. CT performed within 3 months before surgery was used to measure muscle mass. Smooth muscle index (SMI) was significantly higher in the POP group than in the non-POP group (p = 0.017), and muscle mass was rather large in the POP group. Comparing the POP and non-POP groups, both subcutaneous and visceral fat accumulation were significantly higher in the POP group (p = 0.03, p = 0.002 respectively). Conversely, intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC), indicating lower muscle quality, was significantly higher in the POP group (p = 0.024). Multivariate analysis revealed BMI and number of deliveries, but not IMAC, as significant independent risk factors of POP. Although not an independent risk factor, decreased muscle quality was involved in the pathophysiology of POP.