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Prevalence and correlates of stress urinary incontinence during pregnancy: a survey at UNICAMP Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil

International Urogynecology Journal volume 17, pages 219–223 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women in the third trimester of pregnancy. In total, 340 patients attending the Antenatal Clinic at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) were interviewed. Overall, 170 women (50%) presented SUI. Stress urinary incontinence did not correlate to either body mass index (BMI) or race. There was no correlation between parity and SUI, but when considering distinct types of effort, urine leakage on coughing (P=0.0478) and laughing (P=0.0046) were highly more frequent in multiparous women. One hundred eleven women had had only vaginal deliveries and 68 delivered by cesarean section. There was no difference between the two groups concerning incontinence, but multiparous women (≥4) who delivered exclusively vaginally demonstrated 2.0 times more chances to leak urine when compared to nulliparous women. This fact strongly suggests parity to be more relevant than delivery route as a risk factor to stress urinary incontinence. Nulliparous women presented with a high percentage (45.5%) of the symptom, emphasizing the elevated risk of SUI during first pregnancy.

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Author notes

  1. V. Herrmann

    Present address: Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Rua: Alexander Flemming 101, Mailbox: 6081, CEP: 13083-970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    K. P. Scarpa, V. Herrmann & S. S. Morais

  2. Department of Urology, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    P. C. R. Palma & C. L. Z. Riccetto

Authors
  1. K. P. Scarpa
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  2. V. Herrmann
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  3. P. C. R. Palma
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  4. C. L. Z. Riccetto
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  5. S. S. Morais
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Correspondence to V. Herrmann.

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Scarpa, K.P., Herrmann, V., Palma, P.C.R. et al. Prevalence and correlates of stress urinary incontinence during pregnancy: a survey at UNICAMP Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. Int Urogynecol J 17, 219–223 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-005-1361-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-005-1361-y

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