GENDER FEATURES I N PATIENTS WITH DIASTASIS RECTUS ABDOMINIS

Abstract

Introduction. Diastasis rectus abdominis is the widening of the abdominal midline gap between the two rectus abdominis muscle bellies. The 2021 guidelines of the European Hernia Society indicate that there is limited evidence regarding the precise definition of diastasis; however, an extension up to 2 cm can be considered physiologically normal. Materials and methods. We conducted a clinical examination and surgical treatment of 120 patients with diastasis rectus abdominis. There were 92 females (76.7 %) and 28 males (23.3 %). Results and discussion. There was no significant difference in basic demographic indicators among individuals of young, mature, and elderly age groups. Among females, the majority were young individuals (up to 45 years), while among males, they were predominantly mature and elderly. When assessing the correlation between the history of diastasis rectus abdominis and age, we found that in males, the history of diastasis tended to be longer with increasing age. No such pattern was observed in female patients. Risk factors in males included mature and elderly age, playing wind instruments, significant physical activity, sarcopenia, and diabetes. In females, risk factors included asthenic body type, low body mass index, tendency to bruising, three or more pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, natural childbirth, or cesarean section, and preterm labor. Conclusions. The average age of females with diastasis rectus abdominis was likely (p<0.05) lower (44.03±11.95; median 41.0) than that of males (62.28±4.65; median 63.0). The duration of diastasis history was likely (p<0.05) shorter in females (2.89±1.21 years, median 3.0). Perspective research should focus on developing surgical tactics in patients with diastasis rectus abdominis, taking into account the gender-specific characteristics of this pathology.