Open AccessPrevalence of anal incontinence during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery in a cohort of primiparous women and a control group of nulliparous women
Author(s) -
Svare Jens A.,
Hansen Bent B.,
Lose Gunnar
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12896
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , obstetrics , cohort , gynecology , prospective cohort study , cohort study , fecal incontinence , vaginal delivery , surgery , genetics , biology
Abstract Introduction The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of anal incontinence (AI) during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery in primiparous women and to compare it with the prevalences in nulliparous women. Material and methods A validated questionnaire regarding AI was filled in by 1018 primiparous women after delivery and by 1836 nulliparous women (baseline). A similar questionnaire was filled in 1 year later by both groups. Results At baseline the prevalence of flatus incontinence was significantly higher in the primiparous than the nulliparous women (35 vs. 25%), while incontinence for liquid stools was significantly less frequent (8 vs. 20%). Prevalences of incontinence for solid stools were similar. One year later the prevalence of AI was similar in the two groups (flatus incontinence 24 vs. 25%, incontinence for liquid stools 18 vs. 19% and incontinence for solid stools 4 vs. 3%). AI 1 year after the delivery was not related to the mode of delivery. Women with grade 3 or 4 perineal lesions had a significantly higher prevalence of flatus incontinence 1 year after the delivery compared with women without such lesions (48 vs. 23%, p = 0.00). Conclusions This prospective cohort study showed remarkably high prevalences of AI during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery in primiparous women and likewise in nulliparous women at baseline and 1 year later. These results may indicate that factors other than pregnancy and delivery are of importance for AI in young women.