Dataset Information

On the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence, and their co-occurrence, in the Netherlands.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

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.

SUBMITTER: Meinds RJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5355501 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

On the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence, and their co-occurrence, in the Netherlands.

Meinds Rob J RJ van Meegdenburg Maxime M MM Trzpis Monika M Broens Paul M A PM

International journal of colorectal disease 20161202 4

<h4>Purpose</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>We studied a cross-section of the Dutch population (N = 1259). All respondents completed the Groningen Defeca ...[more]

PMID: 27913883

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectiveDefecatory symptoms, such as a sense of incomplete emptying and straining with bowel movements, are paradoxically present in women with fecal incontinence. Treatments for fecal incontinence, such as loperamide and biofeedback, can worsen or improve defecatory symptoms, respectively. The primary aim of this study was to compare changes in constipation symptoms in women undergoing treatment for fecal incontinence with education only, loperamide, anal muscle exercises with biofeedback or both loperamide and biofeedback. Our secondary aim was to compare changes in constipation symptoms among responders and nonresponders to fecal incontinence treatment.Study designThis was a planned secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing 2 first-line therapies for fecal incontinence in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Women with at least monthly fecal incontinence and normal stool consistency were randomized to 4 groups: (1) oral placebo plus education only, (2) oral loperamide plus education only, (3) placebo plus anorectal manometry-assisted biofeedback, and (4) loperamide plus biofeedback. Defecatory symptoms were measured using the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms questionnaire at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. The Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms consists of 12 items that contribute to a global score and 3 subscales: stool characteristics/symptoms (hardness of stool, size of stool, straining, inability to pass stool), rectal symptoms (burning, pain, bleeding, incomplete bowel movement), and abdominal symptoms (discomfort, pain, bloating, cramps). Scores for each subscale as well as the global score range from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (maximum score), with negative change scores representing improvement in defecatory symptoms. Responders to fecal incontinence treatment were defined as women with a minimally important clinical improvement of ≥5 points on the St Mark's (Vaizey) scale between baseline and 24 weeks. Intent-to-treat analysis was performed using a longitudinal mixed model, controlling for baseline scores, to estimate changes in Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms scores from baseline through 24 weeks.ResultsAt 24 weeks, there were small changes in Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms global scores in all 4 groups: oral placebo plus education (-0.3; 95% confidence interval, -0.5 to -0.1), loperamide plus education (-0.1, 95% confidence interval, -0.3 to0.0), oral placebo plus biofeedback (-0.3, 95% confidence interval, -0.4 to -0.2), and loperamide plus biofeedback (-0.3, 95% confidence interval, -0.4 to -0.2). No differences were observed in change in Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms scores between women randomized to placebo plus education and those randomized to loperamide plus education (P = .17) or placebo plus biofeedback (P = .82). Change in Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms scores in women randomized to combination loperamide plus biofeedback therapy was not different from that of women randomized to treatment with loperamide or biofeedback alone. Responders had greater improvement in Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms scores than nonresponders (-0.4; 95% confidence interval, -0.5 to -0.3 vs -0.2; 95% confidence interval, -0.3 to -0.0, P < .01, mean difference, 0.2, 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.4).ConclusionChange in constipation symptoms following treatment of fecal incontinence in women are small and are not significantly different between groups. Loperamide treatment for fecal incontinence does not worsen constipation symptoms among women with normal consistency stool. Women with clinically significant improvement in fecal incontinence symptoms report greater improvement in constipation symptoms.

Project description:Introduction and hypothesisTo evaluate change in fecal incontinence symptom severity after 8 weeks of darifenacin therapy in patients with double incontinence-urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and fecal incontinence. Important secondary outcomes included fecal incontinence symptom distress and impact on quality of life, fecal incontinence episodes, global impression of improvement and overactive bladder symptom distress and impact.MethodsProspective open-label cohort study of women presenting primarily with UUI, diagnosed with double incontinence and electing antimuscarinic therapy for UUI. Women ≥ 18 years with moderate or greater bothersome UUI and fecal incontinence of liquid/solid stool with St. Marks (Vaizey) score ≥ 12 were included. Subjects were treated with darifenacin 15 mg daily for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was change in fecal incontinence symptom severity using the St. Marks (Vaizey) score after 8 weeks. Sample size was based on the minimally important difference of the St. Marks, -5, and standard deviation, ± 8.5; 30 subjects provided 80% power and type I error of 0.05, including a 15% attrition rate.ResultsThirty-two women were consented with mean baseline St. Marks (Vaizey) score of 18.0 ± 3.0. Mean age was 66.5 ± 10.3 years. Twenty-eight subjects (29/32, 87.5%) completed assessments. St. Marks (Vaizey) score significantly improved from 18.0 to 11.0 [mean difference - 7.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): -8.7, -5.3], and 19 subjects (19/32,67.9%) met the minimally important difference. Statistically significant improvements were also noted in fecal incontinence frequency, quality of life, and overactive bladder symptom bother and quality of life (all p < 0.01).ConclusionsDarifenacin can be considered a highly effective early intervention in women suffering from double incontinence.Clinical trial registrationBladder Antimuscarinic Medication and Accidental Bowel Leakage (BAMA), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03543566 , NCT03543566.

Dataset Information

On the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence, and their co-occurrence, in the Netherlands.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

On the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence, and their co-occurrence, in the Netherlands.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets