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International Urogynecology Journal

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01-10-2014 | Original Article

Effect of levator ani muscle injury on primiparous women during the first year after childbirth

Authors: Symphorosa S. C. Chan, Rachel Y. K. Cheung, K. W. Yiu, L. L. Lee, Tony K. H. Chung

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 10/2014

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

To evaluate the effect of levator ani muscle (LAM) injury on pelvic floor disorders and health-related quality of life in Chinese primiparous women during the first year after delivery.

Methods

At 8 weeks and 12 months after delivery, 328 women were assessed for symptoms of pelvic floor disorders and quality of life using the standardised questionnaire, POP-Q; and translabial ultrasound to detect LAM injury. Descriptive analysis, independent sample t test, non-parametric testing, Chi-squared test and two-sided Fisher’s exact test were used.

Results

At 8 weeks after delivery, 48 (19.0 % [95 % CI, 14.2–23.8 %]) women with vaginal delivery had LAM injury; 38 women (79.2 %) had persistent LAM injury at 12 months. At 8 weeks, LAM injury was associated with prolapse symptoms, descent at Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) Aa and Ba points and a higher Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI) general and Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI) Obstructive subscale score. At 12 months, it was not associated with prolapse symptoms, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) or Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ). There was also no association between stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), mixed urinary incontinence (UI), faecal incontinence (FI) with LAM injury at both time points.

Conclusions

Seventy-nine per cent of women who had LAM injury at 8 weeks after vaginal delivery had persistent LAM injury at 12 months. LAM injury was associated with prolapse symptoms, lower POP-Q Aa and Ba points at 8 weeks after delivery and a higher POPDI general and UDI Obstructive subscale scoring. However, we are not able to confirm the association between LAM injury and SUI, UUI, mixed UI, FI at 8 weeks or 12 months after delivery; or prolapse symptoms, PFDI or PFIQ scores at 12 months after delivery.

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Title: Effect of levator ani muscle injury on primiparous women during the first year after childbirth
Authors: Symphorosa S. C. Chan
Rachel Y. K. Cheung
K. W. Yiu
L. L. Lee
Tony K. H. Chung
Publication date: 01-10-2014
Publisher: Springer London
Published in: International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-014-2340-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Effect of levator ani muscle injury on primiparous women during the first year after childbirth

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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