Quality of life in women with postpartum anal incontinence

Pelvic floor muscle training with biofeedback or feedback from a physiotherapist for urinary and anal incontinence after childbirth - a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Childbirth is one of the biggest risk factors for incontinence. Urinary and anal incontinence can cause pain and social limitations that affect social life, cohabitation, and work. There is currently no up-to-date literature study on the effect of pelvic floor muscle training with feedback from a physiotherapist, which involves verbal instructions based on vaginal and anal digital palpation, compared to treatment without feedback (e.g., recommendations for pelvic floor muscle training).

AIM

The objective of this systematic review was to examine the scientific evidence regarding the impact of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with feedback from a physiotherapist and/or biofeedback on urinary and anal incontinence in women during the first six months following vaginal delivery, compared to treatment without feedback.

METHODS

The literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed, Cochrane, and CINAHL. In addition, a manual search was conducted. The search terms consisted of MeSH terms and synonyms in the respective search block including population, intervention, and study design, as well as the terms pelvic floor and postpartum. An evaluation of each included study was conducted for methodological quality, evidence value, and clinical relevance.

RESULTS

Eight studies were included, three of which showed a significant difference between groups, in favor of the intervention group that received pelvic floor muscle training with feedback from a physiotherapist and/or biofeedback. Due to the varying results and insufficient quality for the majority of the studies, the scientific basis was considered insufficient.

CONCLUSION

The scientific evidence for pelvic floor muscle training with feedback from a physiotherapist or biofeedback on postpartum urinary and anal incontinence compared to treatment without feedback is considered insufficient. Further research on the subject is needed. The study is registered in PROSPERO CRD42022361296.

Posterior compartment symptoms in primiparous women 1 year after non-assisted vaginal deliveries: a Swedish cohort study

Introduction and hypothesis

This is a prospective cohort follow-up study based on the hypothesis that primiparous women with non-assisted vaginal deliveries and a second-degree perineal tear have more posterior compartment symptoms 1 year after delivery than those with no or first-degree tears.

Methods

A follow-up questionnaire, including validated questions on pelvic floor dysfunction, was completed 1 year postpartum by 410 healthy primiparas, delivered without instrumental assistance at two maternity wards in Stockholm between 2013 and 2015. Main outcome measures were posterior compartment symptoms in women with second-degree perineal tears compared with women with no or only minor tears.

Results

Of 410 women, 20.9% had no or only minor tears, 75.4% had a second-degree tear, and 3.7% had a more severe tear. Of women presenting with second-degree tears, 18.9% had bowel-emptying difficulties compared with 20.0% of women with minor tears. Furthermore, almost 3% of them with second-degree tears complained of faecal incontinence (FI) of formed stool, 7.2% of FI of loose stool compared with 1.2% and 3.5% respectively in women with no or only minor tears.

Conclusions

Symptomatic pelvic floor dysfunction is common among primiparous women within 1 year following uncomplicated vaginal delivery, and there are no significant differences between second-degree perineal tears and minor tears. These symptoms should be addressed in all women after delivery to improve pelvic floor dysfunction and quality of life.

[Knowledge of pelvic floor disorders in peripartum women: A systematic review]

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy and postpartum are periods of life during which pelvic floor disorders (PFD) can occur.

PURPOSE

The aim of this review is to make an inventory of what women in the perinatal period know about PFD, their risk factors and preventive measures.

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES

We performed a systematic review of the literature in PubMed, Cochrane Library, LISSA and Kinédoc databases by using the keywords "knowledge", "awareness", "beliefs", "pelvic floor", "postpartum" and "pregnancy". We included studies written in English or French, assessing women's knowledge using a questionnaire and published up to May 2020 with no restriction on start date.

SELECTION OF STUDIES

A total of 14 cross-sectional studies were selected from 240 studies, with a sample size of 3950 participants.

RESULTS

The topics covered in the questionnaires were anatomy, pelvic floor function, all PFD, risk factors and preventive measures. Overall, women's knowledge of the perinatal period is limited. It has also been shown that education of women on risk factors and preventive measures regarding the occurrence of PFD was incomplete.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, the knowledge of women in the perinatal period about PFD is limited.

Anal incontinence and unrecognized anal sphincter injuries after vaginal delivery- a cross-sectional study in Norway

Background

Aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of postpartum anal incontinence among women who delivered vaginally, and to assess the extent to which obstetric injuries to the anal sphincters are missed.

Methods

All women (both primiparous and multiparous) who delivered vaginally and received any kind of sutures in the perineal area at Innlandet Hospital Trust Elverum in Norway between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 were invited to answer a questionnaire on St. Mark’s incontinence score and to participate in a clinical examination of the pelvic floor including endoanal sonography.

Results

In total 52,3% (n = 207) of the 396 invited women participated in the study. Mean St. Mark’s score was 1.8 points (95% CI 1.4 to 2.1) at examination 14 months (mean) postpartum, and none of the participants suffered from weekly fecal leakage. Fecal urgency affected 11.7% (95% CI 7.1 to 16.3) of the participants, and 8.7% (95%CI 5.1 to 12.8) had weekly involuntary leakage of flatus. Nine women (9.3%, 95% CI 4.1 to 15.5) had a previously undetected third degree obstetric anal sphincter injury.

Conclusion

The prevalence of anal incontinence among women who have delivered vaginally and received sutures due to 1st and 2nd degree perineal lacerations is low. Some obstetric anal sphincter injuries remain unrecognized at the time of delivery, but the symptoms of anal incontinence due to these injuries are in the lower half of the St. Mark’s incontinence score. Women with persistent symptoms like fecal urgency or leakage of gas and/or feces should be referred to evaluation by a colorectal surgeon in order to achieve optimal treatment.

Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms and risk factors at the first year of postpartum women: a cross-sectional study

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms experienced the first year of postpartum and obstetric risk factors. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted with 408 women between 3 and 12 months postpartum, in İzmir. Results: It was found that urinary incontinence had been experienced by 33.3% of the women during pregnancy and 25.2% postpartum and 2.9% had experienced fecal incontinence. Other frequently experienced symptoms of PFD were in the order of frequency, perineal pain (53.4%), constipation (40.7%), flatulence (34.1%), dyspareunia (27.7%) and fecal incontinence (2.9%). Conclusion: PFD symptoms are common in postpartum women. Early diagnosis, treatment and preventive approaches should be made by healthcare professionals for perinatal pelvic floor health. Impact statement: Healthcare professionals should acknowledge the importance of PFD after birth and identify the problems early period. Our study emphasizes the size of the problem and improvement for PFD.

Early secondary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injury: postoperative complications, long-term functional outcomes, and impact on quality of life

BACKGROUND

An early secondary repair of the anal sphincter may be necessary if primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) is complicated by wound rupture or severe infection. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term functional outcomes, morbidity, and impact on quality of life (QoL) following an early secondary repair of OASIS.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. All women having a secondary repair of the anal sphincter within 21 days of delivery from February 1991 to February 2017 were included (n = 51). Complications were assessed by reviewing medical records. The patient-reported outcomes were assessed in 2018 by questionnaires. Primary outcome was Wexner score and St. Mark's score. Impact on QoL was assessed using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQLS).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up time of 6.7 years (IQR 3.3-16.6), 34 women completed the questionnaire. The mean (SD) Wexner score was 5.2 ± 4.7 and the mean (SD) St. Mark's score was 6.8 ± 5.7. Women with a Wexner score ≥ 9 had a significantly lower QoL score in all domains of the FIQLS compared to women with a Wexner score < 9 (p < 0.001). Postoperative complications were experienced by 37%. Ten women developed a fistula of which nine required surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

An early secondary repair of the anal sphincter can be performed within 21 days of delivery with functional long-term outcomes comparable to those following a late sphincter repair. However, there is an imminent risk of complications, mainly fistulas, which should be taken into consideration when choosing the ideal timing of the repair.

Long-term outcome of sphincteroplasty with separate suturing of the internal and the external anal sphincter

Background

Sphincteroplasty is one of the treatment options for anal incontinence following obstetric injury. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term effect of sphincteroplasty with separate suturing of the internal and the external anal sphincter on anal continence.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on women who had sphincteroplasty for treatment of anal incontinence following obstetric injury. Women operated between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2014 at Sykehuset Innlandet Hospital Trust Hamar, were invited to answer a questionnaire and participate in a clinical examination, including endoanal sonography.

Results

111 (86.7%) women participated. Median postoperative follow-up was 44.5 months, and 63.8% of the participants experienced an improvement of at least three points in the St. Mark’s incontinence score. Fecal urgency and daily fecal leakage persisted in 39.4% and 6.4% of the participants, respectively. The internal anal sphincter improvement persisted in 61.8% of the participants, and there was a median reduction of their St. Mark’s score of 6.0 points between the preoperative value and the value at long-term follow-up. There was no significant change in the St. Mark’s score of patients with persistent dehiscence of the internal anal sphincter.

Conclusions

Sphincteroplasty, with separate suturing of the internal sphincter resulted in continence for stool maintained for at least 3 years in the majority of the patients, while there was an improvement in continence in nearly two-thirds.

Prevalence and predictors of double incontinence 1 year after first delivery

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Urinary (UI) and anal incontinence (AI) are common pelvic floor disorders (PFD), and postpartum women experiencing double incontinence (DI), the combination of UI and AI, tend to have more severe symptoms and a greater impact on quality of life. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of postpartum DI and UI alone 1 year after first delivery.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, 976 women reported the prevalence of DI and UI alone 1 year after their first delivery in one of two hospitals in Norway using the St Marks score and the ICI-Q UI SF.

RESULTS

DI was significantly reduced from 13% in late pregnancy to 8% 1 year later, whereas 30% reported UI at both time points. Incontinence in late pregnancy predicted incontinence 1 year after delivery. Higher age was associated with UI alone. Compared with caesarean delivery, normal vaginal or instrumental delivery increased the risk of UI alone more than three and four times respectively. Obstetric anal sphincter injuries showed a four-fold increase in the risk of DI.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 50% reported incontinence symptoms 1 year after first delivery. Continence status during pregnancy was one of the main predictors of postpartum continence status. Mode of delivery increased the risk of postpartum UI, whereas obstetric anal sphincter injuries increased the risk of postpartum DI.

Knowledge of pelvic floor problems: a study of third trimester, primiparous women

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Pelvic floor problems in women (urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence, uterovaginal prolapse) are common, and have an adverse effect on quality of life. We hypothesized that there is low knowledge of these problems amongst primiparous women in their third trimester of pregnancy.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in antenatal clinics of three hospitals in London, UK, from 2011 to 2013. Primiparous women aged ≥18 years and in the third trimester of pregnancy answered questions on pelvic floor problems. Knowledge scores were calculated based on the proportion of questions answered correctly.

RESULTS

A total of 249 women completed the question set. The average knowledge score across all domains was low at 45 %. Scores were lowest for the less common problems of faecal incontinence (35 %) and prolapse (36 %). The score for urinary incontinence was higher at 63 %, but low when questions explored more detailed levels of knowledge (41 %). Knowledge scores were positively associated with both education to tertiary level and the use of books as the information source on pregnancy and delivery. Only 35 % of women cited antenatal classes as a source.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of pelvic floor problems is low amongst third-trimester, primiparous women in this London-based population. Adequate knowledge of these problems is important for women to be able to make informed choices about their antenatal care and to seek help if problems arise. The data suggest scope for health-care professionals to raise these issues early during pregnancy, and to help women access accurate sources of information.

[Predictive factors of 2-month postpartum anal incontinence among patients with an obstetrical anal sphincter injury]

OBJECTIVES

To determine prevalence of short-term postpartum anal incontinence after obstetrical anal sphincter injury and prognostic factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study including every patient with an obstetrical anal sphincter injury between January 2006 and December 2012 in one tertiary maternity unit. Patients were interviewed and examined at 2-month postpartum. Anal incontinence was defined by the presence of at least one of the following symptoms: flatus incontinence, faecal incontinence and faecal urgency.

RESULTS

Among 17,110 patients who delivered vaginally during period study, 134 (0.8%) presented an anal sphincter injury. Postpartum obstetrical data were available for 110 of them. Among those patients, 50 women (45.5%) had at least one symptom of anal incontinence at 2-month postpartum and 8 (7.3%) had faecal incontinence. Only maternal age and second stage duration were significantly associated with anal incontinence after obstetrical anal sphincter injury. The degree of sphincter damage at delivery (IIIa, b, c, IV) was not associated with the risk of anal incontinence at 2-month postpartum.

CONCLUSION

Maternal age and second stage duration were the only risk factor for anal incontinence after obstetrical anal sphincter injury in this study. High prevalence of anal incontinence at 2-month postpartum of obstetrical anal sphincter injury is observed no matter what is the degree of anal sphincter damage. Our results highlight the importance to diagnose all obstetrical anal sphincter injuries whatever the degree of damage.

Implantation of autologous muscle-derived stem cells in treatment of fecal incontinence: results of an experimental pilot study

Background

The aim of this study is to present results of the implantation of autologous myoblasts into the external anal sphincter (EAS) in ten patients with fecal incontinence.

Methods

After anatomical and functional assessment of the patients’ EAS, a vastus lateralis muscle open biopsy was performed. Stem cells were extracted from the biopsy specimens and cultured in vitro. Cell suspensions were then administered to the EAS. Patients were scheduled for follow-up visits in 6-week intervals. Total follow-up was 12 months.

Results

All biopsy and cell implantation procedures were performed without complications. Nine of the patients completed a full 12-month follow-up. There was subjective improvement in six patients (66.7 %). In manometric examinations 18 weeks after implantation, squeeze anal pressures and high-pressure zone length increased in all patients, with particularly significant sphincter function recovery in five patients (55.6 %). Electromyographic (EMG) examination showed an increase in signal amplitude in all patients, detecting elevated numbers of propagating action potentials. Twelve months after implantation two patients experienced deterioration of continence, which was also reflected in the deterioration of manometric and EMG parameters. The remaining four patients (44.4 %) still described their continence as better than before implantation and retained satisfactory functional examination parameters.

Conclusions

Implantation of autologous myoblasts gives good short-term results not only in a subjective assessment, but also in objective functional tests. It seems that this promising technology can improve the quality of life of patients with fecal incontinence, but further study is required to achieve better and more persistent results.

Living with faecal incontinence: trying to control the daily life that is out of control

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To identify and describe the lived experience of persons living with faecal incontinence and show how it affects daily life.

BACKGROUND

Faecal incontinence is a relatively common condition, with a prevalence ranging from 3-24%, not differing between men and women. There is an under-reporting due to patients' reluctance to talk about their symptoms and consult healthcare professionals about their problems, which means that problems related to faecal incontinence are often underestimated. Living with faecal incontinence affects the quality of life negatively and has a negative impact on family situations, social interaction, etc.

DESIGN

A qualitative interpretative study based on interviews.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted with five informants, all women, living with faecal incontinence. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis.

RESULTS

The analysis identified four themes: self-affirmation, guilt and shame, limitations in life and personal approach. The themes differ from each other, but are related and have similarities. The results show different aspects of living with faecal incontinence and how they affected daily life.

CONCLUSIONS

Living with faecal incontinence is a complex problem affecting everyday life in a number of different ways. It is a highly distressing and socially incapacitating problem. Living with faecal incontinence is about trying to control the daily life which is out of control. Living with faecal incontinence cannot be generalised as individuals experience the situation in unique ways.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

By gaining insight into the experience of living with faecal incontinence, healthcare professionals can deepen their understanding of this complex problem and thereby better address it and provide more individually based care.

Anal incontinence and Quality of Life in late pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between different types of anal incontinence (AI) and Quality of Life (QoL) in late pregnancy.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Two maternity units in Norway 2009-2010.

POPULATION

Primiparae aged 18 or over.

METHODS

Participants answered questions about AI during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy on the St. Mark's score and impact of QoL in the Fecal Incontinence QoL score. Socioeconomic data were obtained from hospital records.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-reported AI and impact on QoL.

RESULTS

1571 primiparae responded; 573 (37%) had experienced AI during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. One third of the incontinent women reported reduced QoL in the domain 'Coping'. 'Women experiencing urgency alone reported markedly better QoL compared to any other AI symptoms. AI appeared to have the strongest impact on the domains 'Coping' and 'Embarrassment'. Depression was only associated with experiencing the combination of all three symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 13; 95%confidence interval (CI) 3.2-51]. Experiencing flatus alone weekly or more was associated with the highest impact on 'Embarrassment' (OR 20; 95%CI 6.4-61) compared with all other symptoms or combination of AI symptoms, except the combination of all three AI symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Between 3 and 10% of the primiparae in this material experienced AI to such a extent that it affected QoL. The greatest impact was seen in the QoL domain 'Coping'. These findings highlight the importance of an increased awareness of AI in late pregnancy among health professionals and the need to implement routine discussions about AI with expectant and new mothers.

The epidemiology of anal incontinence and symptom severity scoring

For many patients, anal incontinence (AI) is a devastating condition that can lead to social isolation and loss of independence, contributing to a substantial economic health burden, not only for the individual but also for the allocation of healthcare resources. Its prevalence is underestimated because of poor patient reporting, with many unrecorded but symptomatic cases residing in nursing homes. Endosonography has improved our understanding of the incidence of post-obstetric sphincter tears that are potentially suitable for repair and those cases resulting from anorectal surgery, most notably after fistula and hemorrhoid operations. The clinical scoring systems assessing the severity of AI are discussed in this review, along with their limitations. Improvements in the standardization of these scales will advance our understanding of treatment response in an era where the therapeutic options have multiplied and will permit a better comparison between specific therapies.

Prevalence and predictors of anal incontinence during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence and predictors of anal incontinence (AI) in late pregnancy and 1 year after delivery.

DESIGN

Prospective population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Two maternity units in Norway 2009-2010.

POPULATION

Primiparae aged 18 years or over.

METHODS

Primiparae answered questions on the St. Mark's score about AI during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. One year later, the same questionnaires were distributed by postal mail. Socio-economic and delivery-related data were obtained from hospital records.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-reported AI.

RESULTS

Answers on AI in late pregnancy were obtained from 1571 women, and 1030 responded 1 year later. Twenty-four per cent experienced one and 4.7% experienced three or more AI symptoms in late pregnancy. One year later, this was reduced to 19% and 2.2%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied. Formed and loose stool incontinence were strongly associated at both time points. The main predictor of AI 1 year after delivery was AI in late pregnancy. Obstetric anal sphincter injury increased the risk of incontinence of stool and flatus (odds ratio [OR], 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-9.6) after delivery. Urgency was associated with greater age (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0-3.3) and operative delivery (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-2.9).

CONCLUSION

One in four primiparae experienced AI in late pregnancy. One year later, still one in five suffered from incontinence. Sphincter injury predicted incontinence of stool and flatus, whereas greater age and operative delivery predicted urgency. The identification and adequate follow-up of pregnant women with AI may reduce AI after delivery.