A Case-control Study Comparing Women With Increased Symptoms (Back Pain and Core Stability Problems) and Inter Rectus Diameter a Year After Index Pregnancy.

A case control study was conducted in Helsinki University Hospital during 1.1.2018-31.3.2021.

Participants were enrolled in pregnancy screening unit. Exclusion criteria was pregnancy during the second questionnaire and body mass index over 28kg/m2. The first questionnaire was filled and the baseline width of linea alba was measured by abdominal ultrasound (US) in connection of the first early pregnancy screening during 1.1.2018-8.3.2019. The second electronic questionnaire was sent a year after the expected delivery timing. Two screening questions were used to grade the participants. Altogether 36 individuals scored at least five points reflecting to substantial increase in symptoms in screening questions in the second questionnaire after pregnancy out of which fourteen participants were randomly recruited. Another 94 individuals scored the lowest possible two points implicating no change in ones bodily experience. Three controls per case were recruited, altogether 42 controls and with one dropout the total number of controls was 41. All participants had at least 12 months from the last delivery.

Two physiotherapists conducted motor control tests and the width of linea alba was measured with a high-end ultrasound. The physiotherapists were blinded with group allocation and the previous IRD measurement. Participants did not know their own exposure status or their IRD when answering the questionnaires.