Anal incontinence in women presenting for gynecologic care: prevalence, risk factors, and impact upon quality of life
Boreham, Muriel K. Richter, Holly E. Kenton, Kimberly Nager, Kimberly Gregory, W. Thomas Aronson, Michael P. Bogt, Val Y. McIntire, Don D. Schaffer, Joseph I.
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Keywords
Aging
Body Mass Index
Cohort Studies
Constipation
Delivery of Health Care
Diarrhea
Fecal Incontinence
Female
Gynecology
Humans
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Logistic Models
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Prevalence
*Quality of Life
Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and impact upon quality of life of anal incontinence (AI) in women aged 18 to 65.
STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive women presenting for general gynecologic care were given a bowel function questionnaire. Women with AI were prompted to complete the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL).
RESULTS: The cohort was composed of 457 women with a mean age of 39.9 +/- 11 years. AI prevalence was 28.4% (95% CI 24.4-32.8). After logistic regression, IBS (OR 3.22, 1.75-5.93), constipation (OR 2.11, 1.22-3.63), age (OR 1.05, 1.03-1.07), and BMI (OR 1.04, 1.01-1.08) remained significant risk factors. The mean FISI score was 20.4 +/- 12.4. Women with only flatal incontinence scored higher, and women with liquid loss scored lower on all 4 scales of the FIQL.
CONCLUSION: AI is prevalent in women seeking benign gynecologic care, and liquid stool incontinence has the greatest impact upon quality of life.
Source
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005 May;192(5):1637-42. Link to article on publisher's site