Fecal Incontinence in Females Older Than Aged 40 Years: Who is at Risk?

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of, and identify risk factors associated with, fecal incontinence in racially diverse females older than aged 40 years. METHODS: The Reproductive Risks for Incontinence Study at Kaiser is a population-based study of 2,109 randomly selected middle-aged and older females (average age, 56 years). Fecal incontinence, determined by self-report, was categorized by frequency. Females reported the level of bother of fecal incontinence and their general quality of life. Potential risk factors were assessed by self-report, interview, physical examination, and record review. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent association between selected risk factors and the primary outcome of any reported fecal incontinence in the past year. RESULTS: Fecal incontinence in the past year was reported by 24 percent of females (3.4 percent monthly, 1.9 percent weekly, and 0.2 percent daily). Greater frequency of fecal incontinence was associated with decreased quality of life (Medical Outcome Short Form-36 Mental Component Scale score, P = 0.01), and increased bother (P < 0.001) with 45 percent of females with fecal incontinence in the past year and 100 percent of females with daily fecal incontinence reporting moderate or great bother. In multivariate analysis, the prevalence of fecal incontinence in the past year increased significantly [odds ratio per 5 kg/m 2 (95 percent confidence interval)] zwith obesity [1.2 (1.1-1.3)], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [1.9 (1.3-2.9)], irritable bowel syndrome [2.4 (1.7-3.4)], urinary incontinence [2.1 (1.7-2.6)], and colectomy [1.9 (1.1-3.1)]. Latina females were less likely to report fecal incontinence than white females [0.6 (0.4-0.9)]. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal incontinence, a common problem for females, is associated with

Relación Entre El Grado De Incontinencia Fecal Y El Daño Del Esfínter Anal Externo

“…La IF presenta una prevalencia con alta variabilidad en la población general 7,8 . Debido al considerable efecto que tiene la IF en la calidad de vida (CV) de los pacientes tanto en el ámbito sicológico como social 9,10 , es importante encontrar los factores que condicionan esta patología.…”

Current Management of Fecal Incontinence

“…Medical conditions such as diabetes, diarrhea, obesity, neurologic diseases, and urinary incontinence may result in or contribute to the symptoms of fecal incontinence. 1,2,6 In some patients, the etiology of fecal incontinence can be multifactorial. It is critical to establish the cause of incontinence because it is an important determinant of the treatment approach.…”

A Staged Feasibility Study of a Novel Vaginal Bowel Control System for the Treatment of Accidental Bowel Leakage in Adult Women

“…Accidental bowel leakage (ABL), the patient-preferred term for fecal incontinence (FI) affects 12-15% of community-dwelling women [1][2][3][4][5]. Recent community-based studies estimate that as many as 17 million women in the U.S. suffer from some form of ABL, with over 3 million severe cases [6].…”

“…Recent community-based studies estimate that as many as 17 million women in the U.S. suffer from some form of ABL, with over 3 million severe cases [6]. ABL prevalence is expected to increase as the population of the Unites States continues to age [5][6][7]. The condition is both physically limiting and emotionally devastating [8,9] and represents a significant and growing unmet need in women's health.…”