Striae: a risk factor for urogenital dystopia?

Background: Striae are linear atrophic plaques associated with overstretching the skin (commonly called stretch marks). Urogenital dystopia is the displacement of a pelvic organ from its original site due to alterations in or relaxation of the pelvic supporting structures. Histopathologic studies have revealed similarities in the irregularity of the distribution patterns of collagen fibers located in the striae’s tissue and in the pelvic floor of patients suffering from pelvic relaxation or prolapse. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of striae in patients with and without pelvic relaxation syndrome, in order to assess the association between the two conditions. Methods: Female patients with genital dystopia and healthy controls were administered an 80-question instrument specifically designed for this study and received a physical examination to determine whether there is a link between striae and genital dystopia. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed in the prevalence of striae in patients with genital dystopia (n=35) compared with controls (n=94), suggesting there is no association between the two conditions. Conclusion: The association between striae and genital dystopia, previously suggested by other authors, was not verified in this study. Since striae are not a risk factor for pelvic relaxation, it is necessary to investigate other clinical markers that will enable preventive measures and the reduction of costs associated with the surgical treatment of prolapse.

Keywords: SKIN, UTERINE PROLAPSE, URINARY INCONTINENCE, COLLAGEN