Biomedical

Risk factors for postpartum stress urinary incontinence: a prospective study



  Peer Reviewed

Abstract

Purpose: Postpartum stress urinary incontinence (SUI) significantly impacts women's health and quality of life. This study explores key risk factors, including clinical and ultrasound data, to improve early prevention strategies.

Method: Data were collected from pregnant women delivering at our hospital (March 2021 - January 2022). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent risk factors.

Results: Independent risk factors identified included age, vaginal delivery, parity, bladder neck descent, and the angle of the internal urethral orifice funnel. The predictive model achieved an AUC of 0.883.

Conclusions: Early identification and intervention for high-risk women, alongside postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation, are essential to reduce postpartum SUI incidence.

Key Questions

1. What are the leading causes of postpartum stress urinary incontinence?

Risk factors include advanced maternal age, multiple pregnancies, vaginal deliveries, and significant pelvic floor changes detectable via ultrasound.

2. Can postpartum urinary incontinence be prevented?

Yes. Identifying risk factors during pregnancy and implementing pelvic floor rehabilitation postpartum can help reduce the likelihood of incontinence.

3. How do clinical methods and ultrasound aid in diagnosing postpartum SUI?

Ultrasound identifies bladder neck mobility and internal urethral orifice funnel angles, which are critical markers of SUI. Combined with clinical evaluations, these tools improve diagnostic accuracy.

4. What are the latest treatment options for postpartum SUI?

Treatment includes pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle modifications, and, in severe cases, surgical interventions. Early diagnosis significantly enhances treatment outcomes.