The impact of maternal body mass index on the rate of obstetric anal sphincter injury in nulliparous women: A Victorian retrospective cohort study

Anal incontinence incidence is high in patients with obesity prior to bariatric surgery: Prevalence, risks-factors

INTRODUCTION

Anal incontinence (AI) prevalence in general population is estimate to range from 1.4 to 19.5% (Wexner ≥ 1). Obesity could be an AI risk factor. However, AI prevalence in patients with obesity is not clearly established. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of AI in patients with extreme obesity prior to bariatric surgery and to identify specific AI risk factors in this subset of patients.

MATERIAL

A cross-sectional study, in a tertiary referral center in obesity was performed during one year. Patients who presented criteria for bariatric surgery (BMI>40 or BMI > 35 with co-morbidities) were asked to fill in preoperative self-questionnaires. A Wexner score ≥ 3 was used to define AI to identified patients who had a clinic impact of AI, by frequency of symptoms or alteration of quality of life.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty patients were included. Corresponded to, 196 women (78.4%) and 54 men (21.6%). Median BMI was 44.53kg/m². AI was diagnosed in 41 patients (prevalence 16.4%, 95CI 0.59). Constipation, urinary incontinence and the history of pregnancy (P = 0.03, OR 2.79; P = 0.01, OR 3.53 and P=0.02, OR 4.71, respectively) were significantly associated with AI.

CONCLUSION

AI is frequently observed in patients with extreme obesity scheduled for bariatric surgery and should be routinely evaluated. Modifiable risk factors as constipation should be manage before surgery as well as the specific management of AI, to prevent AI exacerbation after surgery. The choice of bariatric surgical procedure should be discussed and evaluated for the treatment of patients with obesity and AI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Moderate.

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries-Maternal, fetal and sociodemographic risk factors: A retrospective register-based study

INTRODUCTION

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are severe complications to vaginal births with potentially serious long-term consequences and large impact on quality of life. The aim was to determine risk and protective factors for OASIS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective register-based observational study. A cohort of 988 988 singleton term deliveries 2005-2016 in Sweden were included. Data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry and Statistics Sweden were extracted to identify cases of OASIS and maternal and fetal characteristics. Modified Poisson Regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors.

RESULTS

The rate of OASIS was 3.5% (n = 34 583). Primiparity (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 3.13, 95% CI 3.05-3.21), vacuum extraction (aRR 2.79, 95% CI 2.73-2.86), forceps (aRR 4.27, 95% CI 3.86-4.72), and high birthweight (aRR 2.61, 95% CI 2.50-2.72) were associated with a significantly increased risk of OASIS. Increasing maternal age and decreasing maternal height also increased the risk of OASIS. Obesity increased the risk of OASIS (aRR 1.04, 95% CI 1.04-1.08), if fetal birthweight was not adjusted for. Smoking (aRR 0.74, 95% CI 0.70-0.79) and low maternal education (aRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83-0.92) were associated with a decreased frequency of reported OASIS. Previous cesarean section increased the risk of OASIS (aRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.36-1.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Primiparity, instrumental delivery, and high birthweight significantly increased the risk of OASIS. Obesity, low height, increasing age, and previous cesarean section also increased the risk whereas smoking and low maternal educational level were associated with a lower OASIS rate.