Women's health 18 years after rupture of the anal sphincter during childbirth: II. Urinary incontinence, sexual function, and physical and mental health.

Objective: We studied maternal health 18 years postpartum in women having sustained an anal sphincter tear and controls.

Study Design: We assessed symptoms with the short form of the urogenital distress inventory, the female sexual function index, and physical and mental health with the Short Form-12 summary scales.

Results: Women with a sphincter tear had no increased risk of urinary symptoms (54 of 251, 22%, versus 51 of 273, 19%, risk ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.8 to 1.6) or sexual symptoms (84 of 223, 38%, versus 90 of 230, 39%, risk ratio 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.8 to 1.2). Their physical health was also similar to controls (mean score +/- SD, 47 +/- 7 versus 47 +/- 6), whereas their mental health was slightly lower (score 45 +/- 6 versus 46 +/- 6, difference 1, 95% confidence interval 0 to 2, P = .05).

Conclusion: Women who sustained an anal sphincter tear have no more urinary or sexual symptoms 18 years after delivery.