Review Article
The role of obesity on urinary incontinence and anal incontinence in women: a review
SK Doumouchtsis,
J Loganathan,
V Pergialiotis,
SK Doumouchtsis
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Epsom and Saint Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
St George's University of London, London, UK
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
School of Medicine, American University of the Caribbean, Cupecoy, Sint Maarten
School of Medicine, Ross University, Miramar, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
J Loganathan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Epsom and Saint Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
Correspondence: J Loganathan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Dorking Road, Epsom, KT18 7EG, London, UK. Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorV Pergialiotis
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorSK Doumouchtsis,
J Loganathan,
V Pergialiotis,
SK Doumouchtsis
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Epsom and Saint Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
St George's University of London, London, UK
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
School of Medicine, American University of the Caribbean, Cupecoy, Sint Maarten
School of Medicine, Ross University, Miramar, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
J Loganathan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Epsom and Saint Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
Correspondence: J Loganathan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Dorking Road, Epsom, KT18 7EG, London, UK. Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorV Pergialiotis
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Obesity prevalence is increasing worldwide, with significant healthcare implications. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library for articles registered until June 2020 to explore the relationship between obesity and urinary (UI) and anal incontinence (AI). Obesity is associated with low-grade, systemic inflammation and proinflammatory cytokine release, producing reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. This alters collagen metabolism and, in combination with increased intra-abdominal pressure, contributes to the development of UI. Whereas in AI, stool consistency may be a factor. Weight loss can reduce UI and should be a management focus; however, the effect of weight loss on AI is less clear.
Open Research
Data availability statement
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.
Supporting Information
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| bjo16848-sup-0003-ICMJE3.docxWord 2007 document , 79.3 KB | Supplementary Material |
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