Prevalence of anal incontinence during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery in a cohort of primiparous women and a control group of nulliparous women

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of anal incontinence (AI) during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery in primiparous women and to compare it with the prevalences in nulliparous women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A validated questionnaire regarding AI was filled in by 1018 primiparous women after delivery and by 1836 nulliparous women (baseline). A similar questionnaire was filled in 1 year later by both groups.

RESULTS: At baseline the prevalence of flatus incontinence was significantly higher in the primiparous than the nulliparous women (35 vs. 25%), while incontinence for liquid stools was significantly less frequent (8 vs. 20%). Prevalences of incontinence for solid stools were similar. One year later the prevalence of AI was similar in the two groups (flatus incontinence 24 vs. 25%, incontinence for liquid stools 18 vs. 19% and incontinence for solid stools 4 vs. 3%). AI 1 year after the delivery was not related to the mode of delivery. Women with grade 3 or 4 perineal lesions had a significantly higher prevalence of flatus incontinence 1 year after the delivery compared with women without such lesions (48 vs. 23%, p = 0.00).

CONCLUSIONS: This prospective cohort study showed remarkably high prevalences of AI during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery in primiparous women and likewise in nulliparous women at baseline and 1 year later. These results may indicate that factors other than pregnancy and delivery are of importance for AI in young women.