Association between levator ani avulsion and urinary incontinence in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence is a bothersome symptom. Although the relationship between stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and vaginal delivery is established, the pathology underlying SUI after vaginal birth remains to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether levator ani muscle avulsion predisposes for SUI in women.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Pubmed and Embase were searched for terms and their variations "levator ani muscle avulsion" and "urinary incontinence", from inception until 5 November 2019.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Inclusion criterion: studies describing the relationship between urinary incontinence and levator ani muscle avulsion in women at least 1 year after delivery. Exclusion criterion: studies only analyzing the urethral sphincter or hiatus dimensions.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Odds ratios were used and if not available, were calculated as means of data synthesis, adjusted odds ratios if presented by the study, random-effects model to compute a pooled estimate.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included, accounting for 2388 women. Comparing women with and without levator ani muscle avulsion, the overall odds ratio for SUI is 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.56-1.34), and after adjustment for possible confounders was 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.40-1.30).

CONCLUSION

There is no relationship between levator ani muscle avulsion and SUI in women.