title: On the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence, and their co-occurrence, in the Netherlands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Numerous studies have investigated the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence (FI) in the general population and, even though these disorders are known to co-occur, they were studied independently of each other. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of constipation and FI, and their co-occurrence, in the general population in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied a cross-section of the Dutch population (N = 1259). All respondents completed the Groningen Defecation & Fecal Continence checklist. We defined constipation and FI in accordance with the Rome III criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that 24.5% (95% CI, 22.1-26.8) suffered from constipation, 7.9% (95% CI, 6.4-9.4) suffered from FI, and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.5-4.5) suffered from both disorders. Constipated respondents were 2.7 times more likely to suffer from FI than non-constipated respondents (95% CI, 1.8-4.0). Moreover, 48.7% of the respondents with constipation, 35.0% with FI, and 38.6% in whom the disorders co-occurred qualified their bowel habits as either "good" or "very good". We found that 49.4% of the respondents with constipation and 48.0% with FI had not discussed their complaints with anyone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Constipation and FI, isolated or co-occurring, are common disorders in the general population, even in young and healthy respondents. Since constipation and FI often co-occur, we recommend that patients who seek medical attention for either disorder should be examined for both. Moreover, constipation and/or FI are not always identified appropriately by patients. Therefore, physicians should take the initiative to diagnose and treat these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, PO Box 30 001, 9700 RB, Groningen, the Netherlands. r.j.meinds@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Rob J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Meinds
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Anorectal Physiology Laboratory, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maxime M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: van Meegdenburg
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Anorectal Physiology Laboratory, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trzpis
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, PO Box 30 001, 9700 RB, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Department of Surgery, Anorectal Physiology Laboratory, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul M A
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Broens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003248:Constipation / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Constipation; Fecal incontinence; Population; Prevalence