The impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on the quality of life during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

Abstract

Background Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are prevalent among pregnant women. Several articles show the impact of LUTS on pregnant women’s quality of life (QoL). This study was designed to examine the impact of non-pathological LUTS on QoL among pregnant Palestinian women. Methods A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted on women who were pregnant and receiving regular antenatal care at the obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Rafidia Hospital, Palestine. This self-administered questionnaire included the Urinary Distress Inventory – short-form (UDI-6), the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire – short-form (IIQ-7), the European Quality of Life scale – 5 dimensions (EQ-5D), and the European Quality of Life – visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). A convenience sampling method was used. In addition to this, multiple linear regression analyses were performed aiming to identify variables that have a significant relationship with QoL (i.e. socio-demographic variables, UDI-6 score, and IIQ-7 score). Results This study included a total of 306 pregnant women. Participants had a mean age of 26.9 years (SD, 3.6). The subjects scored an average of 31.2 ± 19.2 out of 100 points for the UDI-6 scale and an average of 31.9 ± 24.9 out of 100 points for the IIQ-7 scale. On the other hand, the subjects’ average EQ-5D and EQ-VAS scores were 0.76 ± 0.17 and 67.96 ± 19.28 respectively. The subjects’ responses on UDI-6 significantly correlated with their responses on both the EQ-5D and EQ-VAS scales (r = − 0.338, p < 0.001 and r = − 0.206, p < 0.001, respectively). Likewise, their responses on IIQ-7 also significantly correlated with their responses on both the EQ-5D and EQ-VAS scales (r = − 0.389, p < 0.001 and r = − 0.329, p < 0.001, respectively). Regression analysis found that the UDI-6 score (p = 0.001) and IIQ-7 score (p < 0.001), were significantly and negatively associated with EQ-5D index scores. Conclusions Our study shows a remarkable correlation between LUTS and QoL among pregnant women. Further longitudinal studies are required to assess the status of LUTS in the pre-pregnancy stage to ascertain a more accurate assessment of LUTS or LUTS related intervention and its impact on QoL during pregnancy.

Assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms during pregnancy: an observational cross-sectional study from Palestine

“…Finally, patient age, multiparity, obesity, and stage of pregnancy are all factors that, according to our study, influence LUTS during pregnancy. Therefore, education should be available to all women of childbearing age, to enable them to modify lifestyle risk factors or at least quickly recognise symptoms early during pregnancy to avoid the harmful effects, particularly on QoL [16,30].…”

“…LUTS and related underlying conditions can cause major disruption to a pregnant female's daily activities and interfere with their work, exercise, and social life [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Furthermore, LUTS can negatively impact the quality of life (QoL) of pregnant women [15,16]. Thus, several strategies should be enacted during the antenatal period to identify LUTS.…”

“…In Palestine, there is evidence that LUTS negatively affects pregnant women's QoL [16]. Therefore, this study aimed to assess LUTS among pregnant women, in addition to identifying factors that exacerbate LUTS during pregnancy.…”

Impact of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on functional disability and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

“…In addition, it has been indicated that HRQoL can be considered as one of the most important components of the quality of medical and health care [13]. Few studies assessed HRQoL in Palestinian patients with other medical conditions rather than RA [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21], and no study has assessed patients' disability in a specific disease. Despite the importance of HRQoL and the degree of disability in patients with RA, no previous studies have been carried out to the best of our knowledge to determine HRQoL or disability in patients with RA in Palestine.…”

Prevalence of overactive bladder symptoms and their impact on health-related quality of life of medical and dentistry students: a multicenter cross-sectional study

“…Previous studies have reported negative impact of OAB on the HRQoL that can be translated as negative effects on the physical, social, and psychological well-being [9]. OAB can also have negative interference with the daily activities of the affected individuals [9,10]. Additionally, OAB affects the patients' relationships with spouse/partner, family, and friends.…”