title: Impact of anal incontinence on psychosocial function and health-related quality of life.
abstract: The relationship among the frequency of anal incontinence (AI), psychosocial factors, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was evaluated. Consecutive patients (n=280) completed a bowel symptom questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist 90 -- Revised (SCL 90-R), and an assessment of HRQOL. Group 1 had no incontinence, Group 2 had AI less than once per week, and Group 3 experienced AI more than once per week. Multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the relationship among symptoms, the SCL-90-R subscales, and HRQOL. Group 3 reported more frequent stools than the other groups. Significant psychological distress was present in both incontinent groups compared to Group 1 (P=0.002). A reduction in overall HRQOL was also seen in the incontinent groups. Depression was inversely correlated with QOL-Satisfaction and QOL-Ratings and positively correlated with QOL-Interference. AI was associated with impaired psychosocial function and decreased HRQOL. The frequency of AI was associated with increased HRQOL-Interference, but minimally with the degree of psychosocial impairment.
authors.affiliation: The Marvin M. Schuster Center for Digestive and Motility Disorders, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Crowell
authors.forename: V Ann
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Schettler
authors.forename: Brian E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Lacy
authors.forename: Tisha N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Lunsford
authors.forename: Lucinda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: DiBaise
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*