A cross-sectional survey of the relationship between fecal incontinence and constipation

作者：Sze Eddie H M^*; Barker C Debra; Hobbs Gerry

来源：International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, 2013, 24(1): 61-65.

DOI：10.1007/s00192-012-1851-7

• Relationship
• Fecal incontinence
• Constipation

We compared the prevalence of fecal incontinence between constipated and nonconstipated women and correlated its prevalence with the number of Rome III constipation symptoms. %26lt;br%26gt;We performed a cross-sectional survey to evaluate the prevalence of fecal incontinence and constipation among women who presented to two gynecologic clinics for routine care over a 24-month period. Fecal incontinence was defined as loss of well-formed and/or loose stool beyond the patient%26apos;s control that occurred at least once in the last 4 weeks, was bothersome, had been present for the past 3 or more months, and had affected the person%26apos;s activities, relationships, or feelings. Constipation was diagnosed using the Rome III criteria. Our study was exempt from institutional review board approval because it was a survey and did not ask for information that could be used to identify the participant. %26lt;br%26gt;Mean age of the 2,319 participants was 50.1 +/- 15 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.7 +/- 7. Seven hundred and twenty-five (31 %) women had constipation, and 233 (10 %) had fecal incontinence. One hundred and one (43 %) incontinent women had coexisting constipation. Logistic regression analysis identified white race (p = .013), menopause (p = .010), and constipation (p = .004) as risk factors for fecal incontinence. After controlling for these risk factors, constipated women were more likely to have fecal incontinence than nonconstipated women [relative risk (RR) 1.60, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.26-2.05]. In addition, the prevalence of fecal incontinence was strongly associated with the number of Rome III constipation symptoms (p %26lt; .001). %26lt;br%26gt;Constipation is an important risk factor for fecal incontinence.

• 出版日期2013-1