Risk factors for postpartum urinary incontinence

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) and its characteristics. METHOD: This was a case-control study with 344 puerperal women (77 cases and 267 controls) with up to 90 days postpartum. In a single session, participants were given a questionnaire with sociodemographic and clinical data and two others that assessed urine leakage, leakage situations, and type of UI. RESULTS: Stress UI was present in 45.5% of the women, incidents of urine leakage several times a day in 44.2%, of which 71.4% were in small amounts and 57.1% when coughing or sneezing. In 70.1% of cases, UI began during pregnancy and remained through the postpartum period. After running a binary logistic regression model, the following factors remained in the final model: UI during pregnancy (OR 12.82, CI 95% 6.94 - 23.81, p<0.0001), multiparity (OR 2.26, CI 95% 1.22 - 4.19, p=0.009), gestational age at birth greater or equal to 37 weeks (OR 2.52, CI 95% 1.16 - 5.46, p=0.02) and constipation (OR 1.94, CI 95% 1.05 - 5.46, p=0.035). CONCLUSION: Most often, UI first appeared during pregnancy and remained through the postpartum period. Urinary incontinence during pregnancy, multiparity, gestational age at birth greater or equal to 37 weeks, and constipation were presented as risk factors. In the studied group, stress UI was more frequent.

Examining prevalence of urinary incontinence and risk factors in women in third postpartum month

“…Straining during defecation is thought to cause stress incontinence. 9 In accordance with the literature, in the present study, constipation increased UI 1.9 times, nocturia being 3 times and more increases UI 2.9 times. In a cohort study from China, women enrolled ≥ week 28 found constipation to be a risk factor for stress UI during pregnancy (OR 1.3), and 6 months postpartum (OR 1.6).…”

“…Women have a higher tendency of constipation due to the effect of progesterone on smooth muscles during pregnancy. Straining during defecation is thought to cause stress incontinence . In accordance with the literature, in the present study, constipation increased UI 1.9 times, nocturia being 3 times and more increases UI 2.9 times.…”

“…The prevalence of incontinence following vaginal birth has been reported to be 31% and prevalence of incontinence following caesarean section has been reported as 15%. 7 While there are many studies [8][9][10][11][12][13] examining frequency of postpartum UI and risk factors in different societies, there are a limited number of studies conducted on this subject in Turkey. In the study conducted by Ege et al 14 with women in 12-month postpartum period, prevalence of UI was 19.5% at varying degrees.…”

Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence During Pregnancy and Associated Risk Factors

“…In the present study, adjusted analyses showed that obstetric factors (out of gestational age) have not found as major risk factors in developing UI. Leroy et al . reported in their study that UI increased 2.5 times during the 37th gestational week …”

“…30,31 In the present study, adjusted analyses showed that obstetric factors (out of gestational age) have not found as major risk factors in developing UI. Leroy et al 32 reported in their study that UI increased 2.5 times during the 37th gestational week. 32 One limitation of the present study was that it was based on self-reported questionnaires and there were no clinical examinations about UI.…”