Clinical characteristics and quality of life in a cohort of 621 patients with faecal incontinence.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to study a cohort of patients with faecal incontinence (FI) to gain a better insight into the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of this pathology and its repercussions on quality of life (QL).


METHODS
Consecutive patients with FI seen at tertiary centres filled in a self-questionnaire. The severity of FI, constipation and urinary incontinence (UI) was evaluated, respectively, by the Jorge and Wexner score, the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott Symptom score and the Urological Distress Inventory score. ROME II criteria were used to assess the existence of an associated irritable bowel syndrome. The repercussion on QL was evaluated by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life index score and the Ditrovie score. The psychological status was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale.


RESULTS
Six hundred twenty-one patients (114 men), mean age 58 +/- 15 years (range: 20-92), with FI, filled in the questionnaire. The mean Jorge and Wexner score was 11 +/- 4. Twenty-seven presented with an irritable bowel syndrome. Thirty-eight percent had an associated constipation. A UI was associated in 48% women and 25% men. QL was significantly altered, and anxiety and depression were frequent.


CONCLUSIONS
FI symptoms are frequently severe, QL very altered and anxiety and depression common. FI is frequently associated with other digestive and perineal symptoms, which argue in favour of a multi-disciplinary management of FI.
Damon
Henri
H
Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.
Schott
Anne Marie
AM
Barth
Xavier
X
Faucheron
Jean Luc
JL
Abramowitz
Laurent
L
Siproudhis
Laurent
L
Fayard
Marie-Odile
MO
Colin
Cyrille
C
Valancogne
Guy
G
Bonniaud
Véronique
V
Mion
François
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019529:Sexuality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult