Risk factors associated with stress urinary incontinence 12 years after first delivery

This study was aimed at investigating risk factors involved in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) 12 years after first delivery. We also evaluated cumulative incidence, severity, and impact on quality of life (QoL) of SUI. We hypothesized that changes during the first pregnancy might be associated with SUI long after delivery.

A longitudinal cohort study was undertaken including primigravid women who delivered in our hospital during 2007. SUI was assessed following definitions of the International Continence Society. Severity was evaluated using the Incontinence Severity Index and impact on QoL with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form. Comparisons between continuous variables were performed using Student's t test and between qualitative variables using Chi-squared tests. A logistic regression model was constructed including variables that reached statistical significance (p < 0.05) in the univariate analysis.

During the inclusion period, 479 pregnant women were interviewed, 381 attended the 6-month follow-up, and 318 completed the questionnaires 12 years after and formed the study group. The cumulative incidence of SUI at 6 months and 12 years postpartum was 14.2% and 39.6% respectively. Generally, SUI severity was slight (73.0%) or moderate (28.9%) and its impact on QoL was low. Pregnancy SUI (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.29-3.55) was independently associated with SUI 12 years postpartum.

The cumulative incidence of SUI increases markedly from 6 months to 12 years postpartum, being slight or moderate in severity and having a low impact on QoL in most cases. Developing SUI during pregnancy doubled the risk of SUI 12 years postpartum.