Urinary Incontinence in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy of Type 1 Diabetic Women

Reprod Sci. 2024 Jun;31(6):1558-1564. doi: 10.1007/s43032-024-01488-w. Epub 2024 Mar 4.

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes increases the prevalence of urinary incontinence and may be responsible for additional changes to those existing in a regular gestational period. This study aimed to describe the presence and symptoms of urinary incontinence in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: In this Cross-sectional case control study, forty pregnant women in third gestational trimester were allocated in two equal groups - control group (CG) and type 1 diabetic group (1DMG). The patients answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and, to characterize the sample, they answered the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, gynecological history and, after delivery, the newborn weight was registered. The groups were compared using the Student's T Test for parametric variables and the U-Mann Whitney Test for non-parametric variables, both at 5% probability.

Results: The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form score (p = 0.026) is higher in 1DMG (3.95 ± 4.70) compared to CG (1.05 ± 2.23). No correlations were found between time of diagnosis, HbA1c and newborn weight in relation to ICIQ-SF and other variables in CG and 1DMG with ICIQ-SF (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, in the third trimester of gestation, seem to be associated with increase in the ICIQ-SF score.

No correlation between gestational characteristics and urinary incontinence symptoms.The diabetic women group had more episiotomies and abortions.The diabetic women had higher scores in the total score of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF).

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus type 1; Pregnancy trimester third; Symptom assessment; Urinary incontinence.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third*
  • Pregnancy in Diabetics* / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urinary Incontinence* / diagnosis
  • Urinary Incontinence* / epidemiology
  • Urinary Incontinence* / etiology
  • Urinary Incontinence* / physiopathology