Protocol for a prospective longitudinal cohort study on the effects of non-surgical weight loss on pelvic floor dysfunction

Abstract

IntroductionRecent studies have recommended non-surgical weight loss and pelvic floor muscle training as first-line treatment for obese patients with urinary incontinence. However, limited studies are detecting the effect of weight loss on other types of pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs), as well as on the quality of life (QoL) and the related influencing factors.Methods and analysisThe "Weight Loss on Pelvic Floor Dysfunction"(WLPFD) observational study is a 6 months prospective, longitudinal real-world cohort study aiming to recruit 200 patients. Participants will be followed up three times during the study: at baseline, and at 2 and 6 months. The methodology involves recruitment and follow-up of participants, data collection through validated questionnaires, and statistical analysis to assess the impact of non-surgical weight loss on PFD and QoL.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been reviewed and given a favourable ethical opinion by the Peking Union Medical College Hospital ethics committee (K4278). All results from the study will be submitted to international journals and international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT05987085.