Incidence and Impact of Urinary Incontinence, Pain, and Other Comorbidities on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) For Postpartum Bangladeshi Women

To investigate the incidence and impact of urinary incontinence (UI) and pain on health related quality of life (HRQOL) for postpartum Bangladeshi women. Methods: Prospective, cross sectional, correlational design (n=94) of postpartum Bangladeshi women, ages 18-44, with history of one or more obstetrical deliveries within the last three years. Subjects completed the Bengali version of the SF-36 and IIQ-7. Results: UI incidence was reported at 45% (n=39/86) total, 44% CS (n=18/41), and 47% (n=21/45) for NVD. IIQ-7 scores and UI presence showed strong correlations in both CS (rho=.729, 84, p\u3c.001) and NVD (rho=.874, 84, p\u3c.001). The highest impact of UI was reported in the CS group. One sample t-test reported significant differences for the sample when compared with the age equivalent norms for the SF-36 domain and component scores (p =.05-.001). Significant differences in HRQOL were reported for women with pelvic/abdominal pain and UI compared to those without pain or without UI and strong inverse correlations (rho=.597-.853) were reported for subjects with pain on the SF-36 domains (p=.001). The Mixed Birth Mode (MBM) group (n=8) reported UI incidence at 74% (n= 6/8), and pelvic/abdominal pain at 63% (n=5/8). Conclusion: No significant difference was found in UI and HRQOL measures by birth mode. However, pelvic, abdominal pain, and UI impact were found to be significant and inversely correlated to HRQOL. A significant decrease in HRQOL was reported compared to age related norm scores. Future research should address pelvic and abdominal pain and mixed birth mode impact on QOL and UI