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Influence of maternal weight on the new onset of stress urinary incontinence in pregnant women

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and severity of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in primigravid women at term and its association with maternal body weight.

Methods

This was an observational study of 458 primigravid women who came to give birth at Donostia Hospital during 2007. Urinary symptoms were investigated (2002 ICS definitions), and a physical examination including height, weight, pelvic floor muscle strength, and fetal presentation was performed. We calculated the incontinence severity index (ISI) and the women answered the International Consultation on Incontinence short form questionnaire.

Results

SUI affected 139 (30.3%) primigravid women. The ISI distribution was 40.3% slight, 54.7% moderate, 4.3% severe, and 0.7% very severe. Pregnant women at term with body weight ≥75 kg appear to have more than doubled the risk of presenting SUI.

Conclusions

The incidence of SUI is high in pregnancy. Increased maternal body weight at term is an independent risk factor for incontinence.

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of a research project supported by the Spanish Health Department, Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI070261).

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Author notes

  1. Irene Diez-Itza

    Present address: , Camino de Marbil No 22, 4 D, 20008, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Edificio Materno-Infantil, Hospital Donostia, Paseo Beguiristain, 107-115, 20014, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain

    Irene Diez-Itza, Larraitz Ibañez, Miren Arrue, Jone Paredes & Arantzazu Murgiondo

  2. Department of Epidemiology, Hospital Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain

    Cristina Sarasqueta

  3. CIBERESP, Barcelona, Spain

    Cristina Sarasqueta

Authors
  1. Irene Diez-Itza
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  2. Larraitz Ibañez
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  3. Miren Arrue
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  4. Jone Paredes
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  5. Arantzazu Murgiondo
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  6. Cristina Sarasqueta
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Irene Diez-Itza.

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Diez-Itza, I., Ibañez, L., Arrue, M. et al. Influence of maternal weight on the new onset of stress urinary incontinence in pregnant women. Int Urogynecol J 20, 1259–1263 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0923-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0923-9

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