Genetics of pelvic organ prolapse: crossing the bridge between bench and bedside in urogynecologic research

Abstract

An increasing number of scientists have studied the molecular and biochemical basis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The extracellular matrix content of the pelvic floor is the major focus of those investigations and pointed for potential molecular markers of the dysfunction. The identification of women predisposed to develop POP would help in the patients' management and care. This article includes a critical analysis of the literature up to now; discusses implications for future research and the role of the genetics in POP.

Genetics of pelvic organ prolapse: reply

“…Besides presenting an overview of the literature, our objective was to provide the readers with a critical analysis of the recent studies in this field including a detailed discussion of the methodology, but not of the etiology of POP. We, however, totally agree that pelvic floor trauma caused by childbirth is the major risk factor for the development of pelvic floor dysfunction [3], as mentioned in our introduction [2]. Our conclusion regarding "… the most important causes of variations are still unknown…" refers to the individual genetic variations, and not to the causes of POP, thus highlighting the need for additional and large-scale genomic investigations.…”

“…Dear Editor, We read with interest the comment of Dietz [1] about our review article on the biochemical, biomolecular and genetic basis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) [2]. Besides presenting an overview of the literature, our objective was to provide the readers with a critical analysis of the recent studies in this field including a detailed discussion of the methodology, but not of the etiology of POP.…”

“…The problem is also aggravated when dealing with a dysfunction of multifactorial etiology as POP. This point was already addressed throughout the manuscript [2]. The biomolecular and biochemical analysis of pelvic floor tissues in women provides a golden opportunity for detecting a number of proteins and genes that are over-expressed and/or under-expressed in patients with POP versus controls.…”

Abdominal sacrohysteropexy versus vaginal hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse in young women

“…Prolapse is therefore, a consequence of deficiency rather than precipitating factors causing prolapse. [9][10][11] Contemporary understanding of the dynamic anatomy of pelvic floor support has led us to new conservative surgery for the management of uterine prolapse. The uterus itself does not play any role in the pathogenesis of uterine prolapse.…”

Genetics of pelvic organ prolapse: comment

“…Dear Editor, Please allow me to comment on the review article 'Genetics of pelvic organ prolapse: crossing the bridge between bench and bedside in urogynecologic research' by Bortolini and Rizk [1]. This paper is a comprehensive overview of molecular, biochemical and genetic research into the etiology of female pelvic organ prolapse.…”