The thickness of type i collagen fiber on vaginal wall associated with the degree of anterior pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is estimated to affect almost 50% of women above the age of 50 years. However, the pathophysiology of prolapse is still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the correlation of the thickness of type I collagen fibers with the degree of anterior POP. The samples were divided into four groups; prolapse grade 0/I, grade II, grade III, and grade IV. The immunohistochemical staining was performed with type 1 collagen antibody to assess the thickness of type 1 collagen fibers using indirect immunoenzyme techniques. There was no difference in the age, parity, and menopause status of patients (P = 0.276; P = 0.984; P = 0.418, respectively) in all groups. Mean thicknesses of fibers of type 1 collagen patients with anterior POP in grade 0/I, II, III and IV were 3,634±0.0656 μm; 3,083±0.0174 μm; 2,585±0.0119 μm and 1,562±0.0922 μm, respectively. There was strong negative correlation between type 1 collagen fibers thickness and the degree of anterior POP (r =-0.969, p <0.0001). There was strong negative correlation between type 1 collagen fiber thickness and the degree of anterior POP.