2017 Volume 31 Issue 1 Pages 78-87
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to clarify the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (urinary incontinence and overactive bladder) in four to nine months postpartum women and to determine the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and QOL.
Subjects and Methods
Subjects were postpartum women who gave birth four to nine months previously and could complete Japanese questionnaire. At the time of visitation to the hospital for infant checkup or child care consultation, the subjects were provided a questionnaire and asked that it be placed in the collection box or returned by postal mail within 2 weeks. To measure QOL, SF-12 ver.2 standard edition was used, and data regarding symptoms were estimated by overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS). Information regarding the presence and degree of stress urinary incontinence was also obtained.
Results
989 questionnaires were distributed and 544 valid responses were received. Regarding the respondents, an average of 211 days had passed since birth, 83.6% of the subjects experienced vaginal delivery. The total women who experienced urinary incontinence was 188 (34.6%). 141 had stress urinary incontinence, and of these, 72.3% had symptoms less than once a week, but 82.0% noticed the development or worsening of symptoms after pregnancy or delivery. Women who were suspected of overactive bladder by OABSS were 8.5%. Women who experienced urinary incontinence or overactive bladder showed a lower “Role Physical” score and “Role Emotional” score than non-symptomatic women, and the summary score “Role-social component score”, to which both the Physical and Emotional Role Functions are contributory, was also significantly lower. Especially in symptomatic women with overactive bladder, reduction in the “Role-social component score” was significant, as the “Social Functioning” score also decreased. Regarding women with urinary incontinence, the “mental component score” was significantly lower than that for non-symptomatic women.
Conclusions
Urinary incontinence occurred at a high rate in four to nine months postpartum women, and most were aware of the chance of symptoms occurring during pregnancy and delivery. Although both symptoms of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder were mild, influence on QOL could be seen from various aspects. “Role-social component score” was low in symptomatic women, and increased difficulty in concentration at work and everyday activities could be clarified. In women with urinary incontinence, “mental component score” decreased, and feelings of depression or experiencing a decrease in energy were predicted.
