Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-9-8
pubmed:abstractText
Fecal incontinence is a serious problem especially for the elderly. The epidemiology of incontinence is not well described in the literature although it is often used as an endpoint for treatment evaluation in clinical trials. Complete continence is often assumed to be the "normal" standard. The goals of this study were to establish detailed prevalence rates for fecal incontinence in a standard population and to identify differences due to age and sex. A questionnaire about fecal incontinence and its consequences with predefined answers was filled out anonymously by 500 volunteers. The study population was selected to meet the respective age and sex distribution of the German adult population. The data indicated that 4.8% of the persons were unable to control solid stools, while 19.6% had problems at least with one type of incontinence (solid, pasty, or lipid stools, winds). Problems with pasty or liquid stools are more frequent in women. The ability to control wind is decreased in elderly persons. The time needed to reach a toilet is shorter for women, and generally decreases in the elderly. Men more often describe soiling the underwear. Persons with signs of incontinence show decreased levels of social activities. A global incontinence rate of 5% fits well with some previously published results. Soiling of the underwear is not well suited for defining incontinence. The increased rate in women may in part be explained by morphological differences. The reduced time to hold stools especially in the elderly in combination with a reduced mobility may result in a higher rate of incontinence, which is correlated with reduced social activities.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0179-1958
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
13
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
73-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1998
pubmed:articleTitle
Prevalence of fecal incontinence: what can be expected?
pubmed:affiliation
II Department of Surgery, University of Cologne, Germany.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article