title: New treatment for faecal incontinence using zinc-aluminium ointment: a double-blind randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a randomized double-blind study the therapeutic effect of a novel zinc-aluminium ointment was compared with placebo in patients with faecal incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized double-blind trial was performed. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized to receive the ointment or a placebo. All were evaluated prior to and 3 weeks after ointment application, using the Wexner incontinence score and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients were randomized and six were lost to follow-up, leaving 24 in the treatment and 20 in the placebo group. The average ages were 61.3 and 60.7 years. The respective Wexner scores prior to intervention were 16.6 and 16.7. They decreased significantly after treatment to 8.5 and 13.1 (P<0.001 and P=0.002 respectively). There was a significant difference in the final scores, favouring the treatment group (P=0.001). The FIQL scores for the treatment group were also significantly better in all parameters compared with those of the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that the zinc-aluminium based ointment decreases faecal incontinence significantly compared with placebo.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Diseases Department, Colorectal Unit, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile             Colorectal Unit, Clinica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pinedo
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Zarate
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Inostroza
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Meneses
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falloux
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellolio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zúñiga
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000535:Aluminum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D009824:Ointments; D014131:Trace Elements; D000535:Aluminum; D015032:Zinc