Work

Frequency of diastasis rectus abdominis and its association with obesity in post-menopausal women: a cross-sectional study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of diastasis rectus abdominis and its association with obesity in post menopausal women. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the gynaecology outpatient department of Dr Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital and the Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karachi, from December 2021 to May 2022, and comprised post-menopausal women. The body mass index, waist circumference and inter-rectus distance were recorded for general obesity, central obesity and diastasis rectus abdominis, respectively. The association of baseline characteristics with the presence of interrectus distance was explored. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.. RESULTS: Of the 100 women with mean age 52.3±5.4 years, diastasis rectus abdominis was found in 20(%). Umbilical, supraumbilical and infraumbilical values were significantly different between the patients and the healthy women (p<0.05). Diastasis rectus abdominis had non-significant associations with baseline characteristics, physical and maternal parameters, and obesity (p>0.05). Conclusion: Umbilical diastasis rectus abdominis was frequently found among post-menopausal women, but had no significant association with obesity.

Source: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association

DOI: 10.47391/jpma.21989

Authors: Urooj Riaz, Syed Shahzad Ali, Aftab Ahmed Mirza Baig

Institution: Dow University of Health Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Pelvic floor disorders treatments

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $650