Dalhousie University 

Research Spotlight

 

Publication Highlight:

Wozney S, Maguire F, Stairs J. Socioeconomic status and choice of primary management of stress urinary incontinence: a retrospective cohort study. Under review for publication

Dr. Sarah Wozney, recent graduate PMRS Fellow who is now an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Queen’s University, led this retrospective cohort study that examined the association between neighbourhood income (an established surrogate marker for socioeconomic status) and patient choice of first line management during consultation for stress urinary incontinence. Of 384 participants, 68.5% chose an intervention that incurred a cost to the patient (pelvic floor physiotherapy, vaginal estrogen, or pessary) and 36.5% chose surgery. Patients from high-income neighbourhoods were more likely to choose an initial intervention that incurred patient cost compared to those from low-income neighbourhoods (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.07-2.71). This study informs advocacy for equitable access to conservative management strategies for stress urinary incontinence such as pelvic floor physiotherapy.

2024 Publication List

Publication list from the Dalhousie Urogynaecology division for 2023-2024, (division members bolded):

  1. Hamel C, Amir B, Avard B, et al. Canadian Association of Radiologists Obstetrics and Gynecology Diagnostic Imaging Referral Guideline. Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal. 2024;75(2):261-268. DOI:10.1177/08465371231185292
  1. Sullivan M, Woolcott CG, Pollard E, Smith A. A Postpartum Perineal Clinic in Nova Scotia: Characteristics Associated With Attendance and Its Association With Recurrent Obstetrical Anal Sphincter Tears. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2024 Aug;46(8):102578. DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102578.
  1. Clancy AA, Stairs J. The effect of subsequent pregnancy and childbirth on stress urinary incontinence recurrence after midurethral sling procedure: a comment. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 Aug;231(2):e76. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.03.022. 
  1. Sobodu O, Nash CM, Stairs J. Comparison of suture type for skin closure at cesarean delivery and risk of surgical site infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2023. Epub ahead of print. DOI: 1016/j.jogc.2023.07.010.
  1. Bonasia, K, Clancy A, Stairs J. Prevalence and risk factors for urinary incontinence in the first two years postpartum: a cross-sectional population-based study. Int Urogynecol J. 2023;34(10):2467-2472. doi: 10.1007/s00192-023-05571-9.
  1. Stairs J, Gujral P, Ehlebract A, van Diepen A, Clancy A. Women’s attitudes towards pessary self-care: A qualitative study. Int Urogynecol J. 2023;34(8):1899-1906. DOI: 10.1007/s00192-023-05472-x.

 

Publication Highlight:

Nathalie Kupfer, Aisling Clancy, Finlay Maguire, Jocelyn Stairs. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Urinary Incontinence in Nulliparous Women: A Contemporary, Population Based Cohort Study. Urogynaecology 2022, In Press. DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001296 

Nathalie Kupfer, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Physician at Dalhousie University led a cross-sectional, population-based study using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2011-2018 to evaluate risk factors for urinary incontinence among a nationally-representative, contemporary sample of nulliparas. The prevalence and subtypes of UI and nocturia in this population were also described. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were estimated using multivariate logistic regression for the risk factors of interest. Prevalence of stress, urge, mixed urinary incontinence, and nocturia respectively were 27.68%, 19.64%, 10.57% and 58.95%. Those with body mass index (BMI) ≥25, age ≥45 and current smoking had increased odds of incontinence compared to women without these risk factors. Congratulations to Dr. Kupfer and team on the publication of their work in Urogynecology (currently in press).

2021-2022 Publication List

Kupfer N, Clancy A, Maguire F, Stairs J. Prevalence and risk factors for urinary incontinence in nulliparous women: a contemporary, population-based cohort study. m Urogynaecology 2022, In Press. DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001296. 

Stairs J, Rolnik D, Pascali D, Clancy A. The association between obstetrical anal sphincter Injury and postpartum urinary retention: a contemporary, nationwide cohort study. International Urogynecology Journal. 2022 e-pub ahead of print. DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05346-8. 

Stairs J, Minassian V, Clancy A. Complications following vaginal vault suspension versus minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy in women with elevated body mass index: a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2022 28(6):391-396. DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001146. 

Stairs J, Brown M, Smith A, Woolcott C. Association between length of second stage of labor and risk of obstetrical anal sphincter injury in nulliparous women.  Int Urogynecol J. 2022 33(6):1583-1590. DOI: 10.1007/s00192-021-05070-9. 

Stairs J, Smith A. A novel, asynchronous urogynaecology online curriculum developed in response to COVID-19: Is there an unexpected upside to remote learning platforms? Journal of Obstetrics Gynaecology Canada. 2021;43(12):1359−1360. DOI:10.1016/j.jogc.2021.07.011 

Stairs J, Maguire F, Lehmann C, Cox A. Cannabinoid therapy in FPMRS: current evidence and future directions. Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports. 2021; 16:64–73. DOI:10.1007/s11884-021-00632-5. 

Stairs J, Amir B, Vair B. The “virtual OR:” creation of a surgical video-based gynaecologic surgery teaching session to supplement medical student surgical experience during COVID-19. Canadian Medical Education Journal. 2021: E-pub ahead of print. DOI: 10.36834/cmej.72081. 

Stairs J, Shabi Y, Patriquin G, Offman S, Pierce M. Clinical conundrum: Neisseria meningitidis septic abortion. JOGC. 2021; 43(4): 497-499. DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2020.12.006.