Influence of maternal weight on the new onset of stress urinary incontinence in pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
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 >or=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.
Diez-Itza
Irene
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Edificio Materno-Infantil, Hospital Donostia, Guipúzcoa, Spain. idiezi@sego.es
Ibañez
Larraitz
L
Arrue
Miren
M
Paredes
Jone
J
Murgiondo
Arantzazu
A
Sarasqueta
Cristina
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult