Economic implications for patients with FI following obstetric injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Establishing economic implications and working patterns of patients with faecal incontinence following an obstetric injury using qualitative analysis.
IRAS ID
224471
Contact name
Carolynne J Vaizey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St Mark's Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are injuries during childbirth that occur to the anal sphincter muscles that control continence, when a 3rd or 4th degree tear has occurred. In women who have their first baby, OASIS injuries have increased from 2% to 6% over a 10-year period.
Women who suffer an OASIS can present with faecal incontinence ( leakage of stool).. There can be loss of control of wind or stool that affects their quality of life. The severe symptoms affect the woman’s self-esteem and quality of life. They suffer with the sudden change inunpredictability due to their symptoms which lead to a change in lifestyle. This affects interpersonal relationships, domestic and social activities and has an effect on their work. Due to the inconvenience of the incontinence and inability to plan, there is a direct, and indirect financial expense to the patient including the cost of pads, increased laundry and changes of underwear. There is also the impact on their employer with days off work, prolonged maternity leave, inability to return to full time employment or being unable to return to employment at all.
Faecal incontinence following OASIS is generally an understudied condition and there is very little data in the literature regarding its economic burden in the UK. Most of the studies focus on the personal impact of faecal incontinence in terms of embarrassment and feelings of isolation.
The primary aim of this study is to use interviews to capture quality of life issues specifically around employment matters for women who have faecal incontinence following OASIS. Semi structured interviews allow us to explore the topic in depthas deeply as possible. Using this technique we will explore the effect on the woman’s home, working and social life, looking at adaptations they have had to make including home renovations, work changes, transport restrictions and explore the economic impact following OASIS has.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
18/NS/0071
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion