IMPACTO DOS SINTOMAS DO TRATO URINÁRIO INFERIOR, ATIVIDADE BIOELÉTRICA DOS MÚSCULOS DO ASSOALHO PÉLVICO E QUALIDADE DE VIDA EM MULHERES COM HTLV-1: ESTUDO TRANSVERSAL

Abstract

Introduction: Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus that infects T cells and is associated with myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis, a neurodegenerative condition with spastic paraparesis, sensory alterations, urinary and bowel dysfunction. Objective: To evaluate the bioelectrical activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM), the occurrence of urinary incontinence (UI), and the impact on quality of life (QOL) in women with HTLV-1. Method: A cross-sectional study that evaluated 20 women using sociodemographic questionnaires, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Short Form, the Overactive Blader Questionnaire, Qualiveen, pelvic floor functional assessment, the Osame scale, and electromyography (EMG). Results: The BMI index (26.75 ± 5.39) for overweight stood out. The mean Peak of Maximum Voluntary Contraction µV (18.10 ± 7.23) with fiber activation below the average, the Qualiveen variables, concerns about limitations, and Qualiveen score that correlated positively (r = 0.92), and also highlight the prediction model constructed, capable of analyzing relationships between the ICIQ (y = 19.320) based on Power (x = 2.958), to understand the prediction relationship between Power and ICIQ-SF. Discussion: It is observed that the BMI index can cause an overload on the pelvic muscles, impairing muscle functionality, and the greater the concern, the greater the impact on QoL and, on the other hand, the greater the muscle strength, the less impact of UI on QoL. Conclusion: It is concluded that lower urinary tract symptoms significantly impact the QoL of these women negatively due to limitations, concerns, and fears, configuring a scenario that demands multifactorial analysis. EMG provided objective data on bioelectrical activity, highlighting deficits in the fast-acting PFMs, characteristic of phasic fibers. Early detection of pelvic dysfunction, combined with electromyographic monitoring, may facilitate faster diagnosis and more effective management of HTLV-1-related urogenital manifestations. Keywords: HTLV-1; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Pelvic floor; Quality of life; Electromyography