title: Menopause and obstetric history as risk factors for fecal incontinence in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fecal incontinence is a highly prevalent condition, especially in women. However, few data on prevalence in women attending primary care are available, particularly regarding the presence of risk factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine characteristics of women with fecal incontinence and to analyze obstetric history and menopause as potential risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study with a cross-sectional design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients in primary care at 10 health care centers in Barcelona, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fecal incontinence was defined as loss of flatus or liquid/solid stool occurring at least monthly. Data on the following variables were collected by face-to-face interviews and patient questionnaires: demographic and clinical characteristics, obstetric history, menopause data, fecal incontinence, and quality of life. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to study the association of potential risk factors with fecal incontinence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 332 women with a mean age of 60.8 (SD, 17.8) years. The prevalence of fecal incontinence was 12.0% (40/332). Flatus incontinence was reported in 27 patients (67.5%), liquid stool incontinence in 25 (62.5%), and solid stool incontinence in (19) 47.5%. On multivariable analysis, the only independent risk factors for fecal incontinence were an obstetric history of complicated deliveries (instrumentation or podalic presentation; OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 1.54-8.68, P = .003) and menopause (OR, 5.67; 95% CI, 1.35-23.78; P = .018).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cross-sectional design hampered identification of the time at which the impact of menopausal status occurred, and data obtained from patient interviews was subject to recall bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complicated deliveries are risk factors for fecal incontinence in women. Fecal incontinence appears to be more prevalent in menopausal women.
authors: Colorectal Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Bohle
authors: Francesc
authors: F
authors: Belvis
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Vial
authors: Yolanda
authors: Y
authors: Maestre
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Pera
authors: Maite
authors: M
authors: Castillo
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Grande
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Parés
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001946:Breech Presentation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D017584:Reproductive History; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires