E-Posters-Does Ethnicity affect Rates of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury?

Does Ethnicity affect Rates of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury? - Pankaj Narayan, MD

Pdf Summary

This study aimed to determine the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) for different racial groups in an ethnically diverse London population. Previous research has shown that women of Asian origin are at an increased risk of sustaining OASIS, but little data has been available regarding the risk for Afro-Caribbean women. <br /><br />The study collected prospective data from women who had sustained OASIS and were seen in a one-stop perineal clinic within three months of delivery. The data was collected between March 2014 and October 2018. <br /><br />The results showed that 210 women with OASIS were assessed, out of 4,446 deliveries of women known to be of these ethnic groups within the hospital. It was found that Afro-Caribbean women were significantly less likely to have sustained OASIS compared to Caucasian and Asian women.<br /><br />Based on these findings, the study concludes that rates of OASIS vary between ethnic groups, with Asian women being eight times more likely to sustain OASIS than Afro-Caribbean women. The authors suggest that ethnicity should be taken into account when considering a vaginal delivery, especially an operative one. <br /><br />In summary, this study found that ethnicity does affect rates of obstetric anal sphincter injury, with Asian women being at a higher risk compared to Afro-Caribbean women. These findings highlight the importance of considering ethnicity as a factor in the management and decision-making regarding vaginal delivery.

Keywords

obstetric anal sphincter injuries

OASIS

racial groups

ethnically diverse

London population

Asian origin

Afro-Caribbean women

prospective data

delivery

operative delivery