Does the impact of subsequent incontinence risk factors depend on continence status during the first pregnancy or the postpartum period 12 years before? A cohort study in 232 primiparous women

Objective Assess the impact of subsequent urinary incontinence risk factors in women with different urinary incontinence history. Study Design In a cohort study 232 women answered validated questions about urinary incontinence after the first delivery and 12 years later. Women who were continent during the first pregnancy or postpartum period (group 1) or who became incontinent during these periods (group 2) were identified. Results Urinary incontinence symptoms 12 years after the first delivery were reported by 32.6% (44/135) in group 1 and 66.0% (64/97) in group 2. Overweight and to a minor extent pelvic organ prolapse symptoms or heavy lifting at work was associated with higher relative risk of urinary incontinence in group 1 compared with group 2. Other risk factors such as age, breastfeeding 6 months or longer after both the first and second deliveries, bowel movements or urinary infections were not associated differentially with urinary incontinence in the 2 groups. Conclusion Subsequent risk factors had a more significant impact in women without initial urinary incontinence.