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Meta-Analysis
. 2016 Jul;70(1):148-158.
doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2016.01.037. Epub 2016 Feb 10.

Long-term Impact of Mode of Delivery on Stress Urinary Incontinence and Urgency Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Riikka M Tähtinen  1 , Rufus Cartwright  2 , Johnson F Tsui  3 , Riikka L Aaltonen  4 , Yoshitaka Aoki  5 , Jovita L Cárdenas  6 , Regina El Dib  7 , Kirsi M Joronen  4 , Sumayyah Al Juaid  8 , Sabreen Kalantan  9 , Michal Kochana  10 , Malgorzata Kopec  10 , Luciane C Lopes  11 , Enaya Mirza  12 , Sanna M Oksjoki  4 , Jori S Pesonen  13 , Antti Valpas  14 , Li Wang  15 , Yuqing Zhang  16 , Diane Heels-Ansdell  16 , Gordon H Guyatt  17 , Kari A O Tikkinen  18
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Long-term Impact of Mode of Delivery on Stress Urinary Incontinence and Urgency Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Riikka M Tähtinen et al. Eur Urol. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Context: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) are associated with physical and psychological morbidity, and large societal costs. The long-term effects of delivery modes on each kind of incontinence remain uncertain.

Objective: To investigate the long-term impact of delivery mode on SUI and UUI.

Evidence acquisition: We searched Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, and relevant major conference abstracts up to October 31, 2014, including any observational study with adjusted analyses or any randomized trial addressing the association between delivery mode and SUI or UUI ≥1 yr after delivery. Two reviewers extracted data, including incidence/prevalence of SUI and UUI by delivery modes, and assessed risk of bias.

Evidence synthesis: Pooled estimates from 15 eligible studies demonstrated an increased risk of SUI after vaginal delivery versus cesarean section (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56-2.19; I(2)=57%; risk difference: 8.2%). Metaregression demonstrated a larger effect of vaginal delivery among younger women (p=0.005). Four studies suggested no difference in the risk of SUI between spontaneous vaginal and instrumental delivery (aOR: 1.11; 95% CI, 0.84-1.45; I(2)=50%). Eight studies suggested an elevated risk of UUI after vaginal delivery versus cesarean section (aOR: 1.30; 95% CI, 1.02-1.65; I(2)=37%; risk difference: 2.6%).

Conclusions: Compared with cesarean section, vaginal delivery is associated with an almost twofold increase in the risk of long-term SUI, with an absolute increase of 8%, and an effect that is largest in younger women. There is also an increased risk of UUI, with an absolute increase of approximately 3%.

Patient summary: In this systematic review we looked for the long-term effects of childbirth on urinary leakage. We found that vaginal delivery is associated with an almost twofold increase in the risk of developing leakage with exertion, compared with cesarean section, with a smaller effect on leakage in association with urgency.

Keywords: Cesarean section; Forceps; Instrumental delivery; Stress urinary incontinence; Systematic review; Urgency urinary incontinence; Vacuum; Vaginal delivery.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart outlining the literature search and article evaluation process. SUI = stress urinary incontinence; UUI = urgency urinary incontinence.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot showing risk of stress urinary incontinence between vaginal delivery and cesarean section. CI = confidence interval; OR = odds ratio.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot showing risk of urgency urinary incontinence between vaginal delivery and cesarean section. CI = confidence interval; OR = odds ratio.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Relative and absolute risk of stress urinary incontinence between vaginal delivery and cesarean section by age group. CI = confidence interval; CS = cesarean section; OR = odds ratio; VD = vaginal delivery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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