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Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System
03:49

Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System

Published on: September 20, 2018

Prevalence and Risk Indicators for Anal Incontinence among Pregnant Women

Katariina Laine1, Finn Egil Skjeldestad, Leiv Sandvik

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Department of Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Pb 4965, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.

ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology
|July 3, 2013
PubMed

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of anal incontinence in an unselected pregnant population at second trimester. A survey of pregnant women attending a routine ultrasound examination was conducted in a university hospital in Oslo, Norway. A questionnaire consisting of 105 items concerning anal incontinence (including St. Mark's score), urinary incontinence, medication use, and comorbidity was posted to women when invited to the ultrasound examination. Results. Prevalence of self-reported anal incontinence (St. Mark's score ≥ 3) was the lowest in the group of women with a previous cesarean section only (6.4%) and the highest among women with a previous delivery complicated by obstetric anal sphincter injury (24.4%). Among nulliparous women the prevalence of anal incontinence was 7.7% and was associated to low educational level and comorbidity. Prevalence of anal incontinence increased with increasing parity. Urinary incontinence was associated with anal incontinence in all parity groups. Conclusions. Anal incontinence was most frequent among women with a history of obstetric anal sphincter injury. Other obstetrical events had a minor effect on prevalence of anal incontinence among parous women. Prevention of obstetrical sphincter injury is likely the most important factor for reducing bothersome anal incontinence among fertile women.

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