E-Posters-Age at Menarche and Age at First Birth: Do they Matter for Anal Sphincter Trauma?

Age at Menarche and Age at First Birth: Do they Matter for Anal Sphincter Trauma? - Stefaan Pacquee, MD

Pdf Summary

This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between age at menarche, age at first vaginal delivery, and the prevalence of significant obstetric residual external anal sphincter (EAS) injury, which is a risk factor for anal incontinence. The study analyzed ultrasound volume datasets of 523 patients who attended a urogynecology unit between August 2017 and May 2018. The patients underwent interviews, clinical examinations, and 4D-translabial ultrasound.<br /><br />The results showed that there was no association between EAS trauma and age at menarche, age at first vaginal birth, or the interval between the two. The mean age at presentation was 56 years, the mean body mass index was 29, and the median vaginal parity was 3. Among the patients, 89% were vaginally parous, and 25% underwent at least one instrumental vaginal birth.<br /><br />Anal incontinence was described by 29% of the patients, and a significant EAS defect was seen in 11% of the vaginally parous women on imaging. However, there was no correlation between significant EAS injury and age at menarche, age at first vaginal delivery, or the latency between the two.<br /><br />In conclusion, this retrospective observational study did not find any association between EAS trauma and age at menarche, age at first vaginal birth, or the interval between the two. Further research in this area may be needed to better understand the factors that contribute to anal sphincter trauma.

Keywords

association

age at menarche

age at first vaginal delivery

prevalence

obstetric residual external anal sphincter injury

anal incontinence

ultrasound volume datasets

urogynecology unit

EAS trauma

retrospective observational study