Improving the quality of information after an obstetrical anal sphincter injury improves the quality of life for women experiencing anal incontinence.

BACKGROUND

To compare the information remembered by women about the potential risk of obstetrical anal sphincter injury (OASIS) according to the occurrence of anal incontinence and the time elapsed since the OASIS.

METHODS

This prospective and observational monocentric cohort study included all the 227 women who had OASIS during a 15-years period. Information was collected using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) questionnaire, sent to participants by post, and by a phone interview about women's memories of the information given.

RESULTS

80 patients had at least one episode of anal incontinence (AI) (35.2 %). Patients remembered having received information about the risk of AI in 28.2 % (n = 64) and about the risk of urinary incontinence (UI) in 34.4 % (n = 78). 82.2 % (n = 188) stated that they would be interested in having information about AI and 84.6 % wanted information about UI. Patients who received the information ≤ 5 years ago were more able to remember information about AI and UI than other patients. Being able to remember information about the risk of AI was significantly associated with a better quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Patients who had received information ≤ 5 years ago were able to remember more of it. This coincides with the implementation of a specific post-OASIS consultation and therefore advocates for such consultations becoming common practice.