Abstract:
Background: Pregnancy and childbirth are thought to be associated with development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The
study aimed at ascertaining prevalence rates of LUTS before and during pregnancy, the determinants and perceived effects of these
symptoms on the life of the women. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires in which LUTS were defi ned according to recommendations
of International Continence Society was administered on consecutive women who delivered at ≥37 weeks’ gestation to ascertain
the presence or absence of LUTS before and during pregnancy and perceived effects on their life. Data was also collected on their
socio-demographic and obstetric features. Descriptive statistics and relationship between LUTS and other variables were analyzed
using SPSS version 16. Results: Prevalence rates of LUTS before and during pregnancy were 52.9% and 89.2%, respectively, and
mostly included nocturia and stress urinary incontinence. Women were more likely to develop LUTS during pregnancy (P = 0.002, OR
4.99, 95% CI 1.793 – 13.906). Only 14.4% and 41.7% reported any burden on their daily life before and during pregnancy, respectively.
Previous vaginal delivery (P = 0.01, OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.91-5.62), grand-multiparity (P = 0.04, OR 4.15, 95% CI 3.82-7.24) were
associated with LUTS prior to pregnancy while presence of LUTS before pregnancy (P = 0.001, OR 10.80, 95% CI 4.24-27.52), previous
vaginal delivery (P = 0.002, OR 6.38, 95% CI 4.25-12.43) and moderate maternal obesity (P = 0.03, OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.82-3.47) were
predictive of LUTS during pregnancy. Conclusion: LUTS are common among women both before and during pregnancy but most
of them were not bothered by the LUTS. Those with previous vaginal delivery and are grand-multiparous are more likely to develop
LUTS prior to pregnancy while the presence of LUTS before pregnancy, vaginal delivery and maternal obesity are determinants of
LUTS during pregnancy.
