The role of collagenopathies in the development of genital prolapse and urinary incontinence in women

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are the widespread pathologies in women. In Russia, POP accounts for up to 39% of all gynecological pathologies. In addition, about 38.6% of Russian women report the symptoms of involuntary urination. Thus, such a widespread occurrence of these pathologies represents not only medical but also a social problem. However, there is no consensus on the etiology and pathogenesis of POP and SUI up to the date. It is considered that POP and SUI are accounted by the genetically determined changes in the connective tissue. Therefore, the search for the genetic factors causing the pathologies of the connective tissue has the main role in the search for the genetic predisposition. As it is known, collagen proteins, which reside in the ligaments, which support the organs of the pelvic floor in the normal position, play key role in POP and SUI. These are types I and III collagen proteins. The study included 250 female patients, who received treatment in the urological hospital of the Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry. 150 patients with POP and/or SUI were included into the research group. These patients were at the age of 40-70 years (mean age 65±2 years) and had at least of one external risk factor. Genotyping of patients from the groups of research and control (150 and 100 patients, respectively) and the subsequent statistical analysis have not found any association of rs1800255 polymorphisms in the COL3A1 gene and rs1800012 polymorphisms in the COL1A1 gene with pelvic floor dysfunction. Therefore, rs1800255 polymorphisms in the COL3A1 gene and rs1800012 polymorphisms in the COL1A1 gene do not contribute to the susceptibility to POP and SUI. Further research on these polymorphisms does not make sense.