Investigation of the effect of stress urinary incontinence intensity on insulin-like growth factor 1 and core stabilization in women

This cross-sectional study examined whether the severity of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was associated with alterations in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration and core stabilization capacity. Sixty-five women diagnosed with SUI (mean age: 43.52 ± 7.01 years) participated in the study. Symptom severity was assessed using the Incontinence Severity Index (ISI). Core stabilization was evaluated by Sahrmann’s 5-level core stabilization test, and serum IGF-1 concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. According to ISI scores, 27 women (41.5%) were classified as mild and 38 (58.5%) as moderate. Serum IGF-1 levels did not differ significantly between the severity groups (p = 0.873). In contrast, core stabilization levels varied significantly across symptom severity categories (p < 0.001), with poorer performance observed in participants with more severe symptoms. These group findings remained consistent after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), parity, duration of incontinence, and menopausal status. ISI score was negatively related to core stabilization level (rho = −0.732, p < 0.001), whereas no significant relationship was observed with serum IGF-1 concentration (rho = −0.009, p = 0.941). These findings suggest that serum IGF-1 did not clearly differentiate ISI severity groups in this sample, whereas core stabilization level may provide more relevant information regarding SUI-related functional impairment. These findings highlight the functional relevance of core stabilization in women with SUI.