Fecal incontinence in obese women with urinary incontinence: prevalence and role of dietary fiber intake.
OBJECTIVE
This study estimates the prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) in overweight and obese women with urinary incontinence and compares dietary intake in women with and without FI.


METHODS
A total of 336 incontinent and overweight women in the Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise clinical trial were included. FI was defined as monthly or greater loss of mucus, liquid, or solid stool. Dietary intake was quantified using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Women had a mean (+/- SD) age of 53 +/- 10 years, body mass index of 36 +/- 6 kg/m(2), and 19% were African American. Prevalence of FI was 16% (n = 55). In multivariable analyses, FI was independently associated with low fiber intake, higher depressive symptoms, and increased urinary tract symptoms (all P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Overweight and obese women report a high prevalence of monthly FI associated with low dietary fiber intake. Increasing dietary fiber may be a treatment for FI.
Markland
Alayne D
AD
Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA. amarkland@aging.uab.edu.
Richter
Holly E
HE
Burgio
Kathryn L
KL
Bragg
Charlotte
C
Hernandez
Alexandra L
AL
Subak
Leslee L
LL
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015444:Exercise; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015431:Weight Loss