Anal incontinence after caesarean and vaginal delivery in Sweden: a national population-based study

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2019Source: The LancetAuthor(s): Charlotta Larsson, Charlotta Linder Hedberg, Ewa Lundgren, Lars Söderström, Katarina TunÓn, Pär NordinSummaryBackgroundElective caesarean delivery is increasing rapidly in many countries, and one of the reasons might be that caesarean delivery is widely believed to protect against pelvic floor disorders, including anal incontinence. Previous studies on this issue have been small and with conflicting results. The aim of present study was to compare the risk of developing anal incontinence in women who had a caesarean delivery, in those who had a vaginal delivery, and in two age-matched control groups (nulliparous women and men).MethodsIn this observational population-based study, we included all women in the Swedish Medical Birth Register who gave birth by caesarean delivery or vaginal delivery during 1973–2015 in Sweden and were diagnosed with anal incontinence according to ICD 8–10 in the Swedish National Patient Register during 2001–15. Exclusion criteria were multiple birth delivery, mixed vaginal and caesarean delivery, and four or more deliveries. We compared the diagnosis of anal incontinence between women previously delivered solely by caesarean delivery and those who solely had delivered vaginally. We also compared it with two age-matched control groups of nulliparous women and men from the Swedish Total Population Register. Finally, we analysed risk factors for anal incontinence...

Source: The Lancet - February 22, 2019 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research