PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS
RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAM

Pelvic floor disorders include disruptions of the support, anatomy, and hormonal or nerve supply of the pelvic floor and related abdominal structures. These disorders are often characterized by urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. Statistically, one in every five women will have one or more of these disorders. The multi-faceted etiology of pelvic floor disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach. In response to this need, Dr. Ingrid Nygaard (Gynecology), Dr. Karl Kreder (Urology), and Dr. Satish Rao (Gastroenterology) co-founded the Iowa Pelvic Floor Group in 1992. This interdisciplinary team has been awarded significant funding from the NIH, and includes physicians, nurse clinicians and researchers from Gynecology, Urology, Gastroenterology, Colorectal Surgery, Neurology, Radiology, Epidemiology, Anesthesia, Pediatrics, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Biostatistics, and Exercise Science. Due to the group’s productive collaboration, The University of Iowa was selected as one of seven sites for the newly founded Pelvic Floor Disorders Treatment Network, a research collaboration sponsored by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development. The Network provides an excellent opportunity for junior researchers to learn from and contribute to a well-organized multi-center research project. The Pelvic Floor Disorders Network is conducting a randomized trial to determine whether, at the time of surgery, additional peri-urethral sutures affect the rate of post-operative urinary incontinence for severe pelvic organ prolapse. Within this study, various disciplines are conducting ancillary research on pelvic floor muscles (Physical Therapy), adaptation measures (Nursing), physical activity (Health and Sport Studies), bowel function (Psychology), sexual function (Gynecology), aging (Gerontology), and surgical longevity (Epidemiology). Trainees from other disciplines at The University of Iowa are also contributing to this research in a wide variety of ways: a doctoral student in sociology is studying urinary incontinence as a cause of social isolation; radiologists are furthering anatomic studies of pelvic and anal sphincter muscles; the Athletic Training Department is studying the results of high impact exercise on urinary function; the Departments of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics are investigating factors contributing to pelvic floor forces; the College of Law is investigating the legal implications of work regulations on bathroom breaks and bladder function; and, finally, oncologists are researching the effects of radiation therapy on bowel function.