Fecal Incontinence Affects One in Twelve U.S. Adults

Prevalence of age-related disorder could be reduced by detection and treatment of diarrhea

12 aug 2009-- Fecal incontinence is a prevalent age-related disorder in American adults, and frequent diarrhea is a significant and potentially modifiable risk factor, according to a study published in the August issue of Gastroenterology.

William E. Whitehead, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and colleagues assessed fecal incontinence -- defined as accidental leakage of solid, liquid, or mucus at least once in the preceding month -- in non-institutionalized adults (2,229 women and 2,079 men) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The researchers estimated that fecal incontinence affects 8.3 percent of non-institutionalized adults, and has a similar prevalence in women and men (8.9 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively). They also observed a strong association between prevalence and age, which ranged from 2.6 percent in subjects aged 20 to 29 years to 15.3 percent in those aged 70 years and older. Independent risk factors included advancing age, loose or watery stools, and urinary incontinence.

"We have shown that incontinence for solid or liquid stool or mucus affects about 18 million non-institutionalized adults in the United States throughout the adult life span," the authors conclude. "This study also confirms that the regular occurrence of mushy or watery stools is a strong risk factor for fecal incontinence and suggests that the detection and treatment of diarrhea may be an effective method for reducing the prevalence and severity of fecal incontinence."

Abstract
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FECAL INCONTINENCE IN THE ELDERLY

Geriatrics. 2008 Feb;63(2):13-22.
Roach M, Christie JA
Fecal incontinence (FI),the involuntary loss of formed stool, can a social and as well as hygiene problem and is often devastating for patients and their caretakers. Current data, which are probably underestimated, indicate that the occurrence is remarkably high. The etiology of FI is multifactorial; risk factors including advancing age, previous obstetric trauma, diabetes, fecal impaction, stroke, and dementia. The management of FI in the elderly depends on etiologic factors. However, there are many treatment options for sufferers of FI including bulking agents, antidiarrheals, anticholinergics, biofeedback, surgery for sphincter defects, and sphincter bulking devices. The appropriate treatment can be guided by a thorough workup of these patients and result in a significant improvement in quality of life.

PMID: 18312019 [PubMed - in process]