Anal sphincter injury: Long term effects including body image
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Severe Childbirth Related Pelvic Floor Trauma: Long term effects including body image using self-reported outcome measures
IRAS ID
152950
Contact name
Fiona Reid
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
R&D office Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT)
Research summary
The overall aim of the research study is to investigate the long term effect of severe injuries sustained during childbirth to the anal sphincter muscles of the pelvic floor. It will compare this type of injury to childbirth without trauma and with less severe trauma not affecting the anal sphincter muscle.
This is an important research question to answer as there is a lack of knowledge regarding the global long term effects of anal sphincter injuries, with information from previous studies on the whole being short term in nature, focusing on anal incontinence with information gathered using mostly non-validated tools. In particular, there is little quantitative data on the effect of anal sphincter injury on body image or genital-specific body image (a more specific measurement in this setting as body image is known to be affected after childbirth for a range of reasons), highlighted as an important factor in qualitative research but its prevalence, impact on women and progression through time are unknown.
Patient reported outcome tools (questionnaires) can be used to investigate symptoms and quality of life measurements but there is no specific tool validated in this setting that potentially covers all important outcomes. We wish to validate a tool (EPAQ) that we believe covers most important aspects after anal sphincter injury and perineal trauma (including questions about urinary, bowel, vaginal and sexual health). It will then be used with a validated genital specific body image tool to answer the research question. EPAQ has previously been validated for use in patients attending urogynaecology clinics.
We aim to have a validated tool that we can use to enquire about all relevant problems that arise from anal sphincter injuries at childbirth, to ensure that sensitive health issues are not being missed and correct care can be offered to this group.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1282
Date of REC Opinion
17 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion