EARLY POSTPARTUM STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE FOLLOWING VAGINAL AND CAESAREAN DELIVERY: A MULTI-CENTER ANALYTICAL STUDY FROM TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS IN PAKISTAN
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Keywords
Stress urinary incontinence, postpartum, vaginal delivery, cesarean section, pelvic floor dysfunction, Pakistan.
Abstract
Objective: To compare the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of early postpartum stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among women following vaginal delivery (VD) and caesarean section (CS) across four provinces in Pakistan.
Methods: This multi-center analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2024 to February 2025 in tertiary care teaching hospitals located in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta. A total of 270 women (135 VD; 135 CS) were recruited at 6–8 weeks postpartum through consecutive sampling. Data were collected using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). Statistical analysis included Chi-square testing and multivariable logistic regression using SPSS version 26.0.
Results: Overall prevalence of SUI was 23.3% (63/270). SUI occurred significantly more often in the vaginal delivery group (31.1%) compared with the caesarean section group (15.5%, p=0.004). Mean ICIQ scores were significantly higher in the VD group (8.4 ± 3.1) than in the CS group (4.2 ± 1.8, p <0.001). Multivariable regression identified neonatal birth weight >3.5 kg (OR=2.42), vaginal delivery (OR=2.25), maternal BMI >30 kg/m² (OR=1.98), and maternal age >30 years (OR=1.85) as significant predictors of early postpartum SUI.
Conclusion:Early postpartum stress urinary incontinence is common among Pakistani women. Vaginal delivery approximately doubles the risk compared with caesarean delivery, although pregnancy itself contributes to pelvic floor dysfunction. Routine screening during postnatal visits may improve early detection and management.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Sumbal Parvez
MBBS, FCPS, Junior Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Forest View Woman Specialist Center, Peshawar.
Sumaira Pervaiz
MBBS, FCPS, Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal
Nuzhat Nazar Cheema
MBBS, FCPS, Senior Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, , HBS General Hospital, Islamabad,
Mumtaz Akhtar
MBBS, FCPS, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pak Red Crescent Teaching Hospital, Dina Nath,
Farah Liaquat
MBBS, FCPS, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi,
Hoor Gulalai sharif
MBBS, House Officer, DHQ hospital, Kohat.
