Urinary incontinence related to perineal muscle strength in the first trimester of pregnancy: cross-sectional study

Objective To analyze pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS), urinary continence and quality of life related to urinary incontinence (UI) of women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Method Cross-sectional study with a sample of 500 women who started prenatal care in a complementary healthcare facility in Guarulhos, state of São Paulo, from 2012 and 2013. Pelvic floor muscle strength was evaluated through perineometry. The pregnant women who presented UI answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results It was found that maternal age (OR=1.06; CI95% 1.02-1.11) and prior UI (OR=15.12; 95%CI 8.19-27.92) are the variables that, in tandem, best explain the occurrence of UI at the beginning of pregnancy. The mean score on the ICIQ-SF was 8.2 (SD=3.9), considered a moderate impact on quality of life. Conclusion Older pregnant women with prior UI are more likely to have UI in the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Women’s pelvic floor muscle strength and urinary and anal incontinence after childbirth: a cross-sectional study

Abstract OBJECTIVE To analyse pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) and urinary and anal incontinence (UI and AI) in the postpartum period. METHOD Cross-sectional study carried out with women in their first seven months after child birth. Data were collected through interviews, perineometry (Peritron™), and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). RESULTS 128 women participated in the study. The PFMS mean was 33.1 (SD=16.0) cmH2O and the prevalence of UI and AI was 7.8% and 5.5%, respectively. In the multiple analyses, the variables associated with PFMS were type of birth and cohabitation with a partner. Newborn’s weight, previous pregnancy, UI during pregnancy, and sexual activity showed an association with UI after child birth. Only AI prior to pregnancy was associated with AI after childbirth. CONCLUSION Vaginal birth predisposes to the reduction of PFMS, and caesarean section had a protective effect to its reduction. The occurrence of UI during pregnancy is a predictor of UI after childbirth, and women with previous pregnancies and newborns with higher weights are more likely to have UI after childbirth.AI prior to pregnancy is the only risk factor for its occurrence after childbirth. Associations between PFMS and cohabitation with a partner, and between UI and sexual activity do not make possible to conclude that these variables are directly associated

Implementação de práticas assistenciais para prevenção e reparo do trauma perineal no parto

RESUMO Objetivos Implementar práticas assistenciais para prevenção e reparo do trauma perineal no parto normal. Métodos Estudo quase-experimental, realizado no Hospital da Mulher Mãe-Luzia, Macapá, AP. Realizaram-se 74 entrevistas com enfermeiros e médicos e 70 com puérperas, e analisaram-se dados de prontuários (n=555). O desenvolvimento da pesquisa se deu em três fases: pré-auditoria e auditoria de base (fase 1); intervenção educativa e implementação de boas práticas assistenciais (fase 2); auditoria pós-implementação (fase 3); a análise foi pela comparação das fases 1 e 3. Resultados Após a intervenção educativa, menos profissionais incentivavam puxos dirigidos, realizavam episiotomia e suturavam lacerações de primeiro grau; mais mulheres informaram que o parto foi em posição litotômica; mais registros nos prontuários indicaram o uso de Vicryl® na sutura da mucosa e pele. Conclusões A intervenção educativa melhorou os cuidados e os desfechos perineais, porém há lacunas na implementação das evidências e inadequações no manejo do cuidado perineal

A woman with breathlessness:a practical approach to diagnosis and management

<p>Worsening breathless in a patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common diagnostic and management challenge in primary care. A systematic approach to history-taking and examination combined with targeted investigation of pulmonary, cardiovascular, thromboembolic and systemic causes is essential if co-morbidities are to be identified and managed. Distinguishing between heart failure and COPD is a particular challenge as symptoms and signs overlap. In low and middle income countries additional priorities are the detection of infections such as tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Clinicians need to be alert to the possibility of atypical presentations (such as pain-free variants of angina) and less common conditions (including chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension) in order not to overlook important potentially treatable conditions. (C) 2013 Primary Care Respiratory Society UK. All rights reserved.</p>