title: A study of quality of life in primigravidae with urinary incontinence.
abstract: This study aimed to establish the prevalence and effect of urinary incontinence on quality of life during pregnancy and after parturition. A prospective cohort of primigravidae was recruited. The Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ) was self-administered antenatally (34 weeks to term) and postnatally (3 months after delivery). Four hundred ninety-two primigravidae were recruited. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was reported as: pre-pregnancy 3.5% (17/492), antenatal 35.6% (175/492), 3-5 days postpartum 13.7% (51/370) and 3 months postnatal 13.0% (47/362). Most women with urinary incontinence experienced an impact on quality of life antenatally (54.3%) and postnatally (71.1%), although those experiencing an impact usually reported it as 'a little' (75.8 and 87.5%). There was a higher prevalence of urinary incontinence after forceps delivery ( p<0.05) but not of greater impairment in quality of life ( p>0.05). Personal and general health deteriorated postnatally ( p<0.05). During pregnancy most women with urinary incontinence experience minimal impact on quality of life. Postnatally, other causes of morbidity may contribute to worsening of general and personal health.
authors.affiliation: Urogynaecology Subspecialty Trainee, Directorate of Women's Services, Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Dolanlm@aol.com
authors.forename: Lucia M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Shona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Kaye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Robin G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ashe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D009772:Obstetrical Forceps; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology