Factors associated with quality of life among women with fecal incontinence.
OBJECTIVE
Fecal incontinence (FI) is a distressing, highly prevalent condition affecting quality of life (QOL). The aim of our study was to identify predictors of moderate/severe health-related QOL among women with FI.


METHODS
Data were collected from women presenting to a multispecialty clinic from January 2005 to July 2009 with FI. All completed questionnaires on demographics and validated instruments including the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Instrument (FIQL), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) for depression, and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with moderate/severe FI.


RESULTS
The study included 226 women with an average age of 59.2 years (SD = 14.1); 92 % were Caucasian, 67 % were married, and the average body mass index was 30.0 (SD = 8.6). Their QOL was moderately/severely affected by FI in 35.6 %. Mean overall FIQL score was 2.5 (SD = 0.8). Median QOL subscale measures were: lifestyle = 2.7 (SD = 1.0), coping = 2.09 (SD = 0.9), depression = 2.8 (SD = 1.0), and embarrassment = 2.2 (SD = 0.9). Average FISI score was 31.6 (SD = 15.7) and average depression score on the PHQ was 8.93 (SD = 8.1). In univariate analyses, diabetes, irritable bowel symptoms, prior hysterectomy, history of previous medical care for FI, higher FISI and PHQ scores were associated with moderate/severe FIQL scores (p < 0.05). Higher PHQ scores and prior hysterectomy significantly predicted moderate/severe QOL in logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We confirm that women with higher depression scores and prior hysterectomy have moderate/severe QOL impairment. When evaluating FI, screening for depression should be undertaken.
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L4000 Women's Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, SPC 5276, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. toviasmith@gmail.com
T M
TM
Smith
S B
SB
Menees
X
X
Xu
R J
RJ
Saad
W D
WD
Chey
D E
DE
Fenner
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires