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Prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence in Chinese women during and after their first pregnancy

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

This study evaluated factors and their prevalence associated with urinary (UI) and fecal (FI) incontinence during and after a woman’s first pregnancy.

Methods

Nulliparous Chinese women with no UI or FI before pregnancy were studied with a standardized questionnaire for UI and FI from early pregnancy until 12 months after childbirth. Maternal characteristics and obstetric data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, independent sample t test, chi-square test, and logistic regression.

Results

Three hundred and twenty-eight (74.2 %) women completed the study. The prevalence of antenatal UI increased with gestation. Overall, 192 (58.5 %), 60 (18.3 %), and 76 (23.1 %) had normal vaginal delivery, instrumental delivery, and cesarean section, respectively. Twelve months after delivery, prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) was 25.9 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 21.5–30.6] and 8.2 % (95 % CI 5.2–11.2), respectively. In those who delivered vaginally, the prevalence was 29.7 % and 9.1 %, respectively. Prevalence of FI was 4.0 % (95 % CI 1.9–6.1). On logistic regression, vaginal delivery [odds ratio (OR) 3.6], antenatal SUI (OR 2.8), and UUI (OR 2.4) were associated with SUI. Antenatal UUI (OR 6.4) and increasing maternal body mass index (BMI) at the first trimester (OR 1.2) were associated with UUI. Antenatal FI was associated with FI (OR 6.1).

Conclusions

The prevalence of SUI, UUI, and FI were 25.9 %, 8.2 %, and 4.0 %, respectively, 12 months after delivery. Vaginal delivery, antenatal SUI, and UUI were associated with SUI; antenatal UUI and increasing maternal BMI at the first trimester were associated with UUI. Antenatal FI was associated with FI. Pregnancy, regardless of route of delivery and obstetric practice, had an effect on UI and FI.

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Acknowledgements

This study obtained grants from Health and Health Service Research Fund from Department of Health Bureau of Government of Hong Kong S. A. R.

Details of ethics approval

Ethics approval for the study was granted by the Joint Chinese University of Hong Kong — New Territories East Cluster Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CRE -2009.257) on 17 July 2009.

Funding

This study obtained grants from Health and Health Service Research Fund from Department of Health Bureau of Government of Hong Kong S. A. R.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ma Liu Shui, Hong Kong

    Symphorosa S. C. Chan, Rachel Y. K. Cheung, K. W. Yiu, L. L. Lee & Tony K. H. Chung

  2. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

    Symphorosa S. C. Chan

Authors
  1. Symphorosa S. C. Chan
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  2. Rachel Y. K. Cheung
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  3. K. W. Yiu
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  4. L. L. Lee
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  5. Tony K. H. Chung
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Symphorosa S. C. Chan.

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Chan, S.S.C., Cheung, R.Y.K., Yiu, K.W. et al. Prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence in Chinese women during and after their first pregnancy. Int Urogynecol J 24, 1473–1479 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-2004-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-2004-8

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