Prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) and associated factors in institutionalized older adults

Abstract

The objective of this work is to determine the prevalence of FI and associated factors in institutionalized elderly. A cross-sectional study is presented herein, conducted between October and December 2013, in 10 nursing homes (NHs) of the city of Natal (Northeast Brazil). Individuals over the age of 60 were included in the study, while those hospitalized or in terminal phase were excluded. Data collection included sociodemographic information, FI characterization, as well as variables related to the institution itself and to health conditions (comorbidities, medication, pelvic floor surgery, Barthel Index for functional capacity and Pfeiffer test for cognitive status). FI was verified through the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0, which was also used to assess toileting programs. The Chi-square test and the linear Chi-square test were performed for bivariate analysis, as well as logistic regression for multivariate analysis. The final sample consisted of 321 elderly, mostly females, with mean age of 81.5 years. The prevalence of FI was 42.68% (CI 95%, 37.39-48.15). Most residents presenting FI were always incontinent (83.9%) and the most frequent incontinence type was total FI (solid and liquid stools). Incontinence control measures were applied only to 9.7% of the residents. The final model revealed a statistically significant association between FI and functional and cognitive impairments. It is concluded that FI is a health issue that affects almost half of the institutionalized elderly, and is associated with functional and cognitive disability.

The Prevalence, Incidence, and Correlates of Fecal Incontinence Among Older People Residing in Care Homes: A Systematic Review

“…38 Five other studies reported that age was not statistically significantly correlated with FI. 10,19,24,27,37 Gender differences Gender differences in FI were not statistically significantly associated in 6 studies (Table 2). However, 1 study found a correlation between female gender and risk of FI.…”

“…There was a marked variation in data collection tools and the outcome measures differed: interRAI, 27 Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score, 19 study-specific questionnaires, 10,42 interviews, 34 medical records, 24 and Minimum Data Set (MDS) records. 18,37,43,44,47 Findings from the included studies are presented under 3 subheadings in this review: prevalence of FI, incidence of FI, and correlates of FI.…”

New developments in therapies for fecal incontinence

“…Fecal incontinence, or accidental bowel leakage, is a common disorder, affecting 2-15% of the general female population [1,2], and up to 42% of institutionalized elderly women [3]. Fecal incontinence is defined as the involuntary inability to control the passage of fecal contents through the anus.…”

Functional Outcome of Human Adipose Stem Cell Injections in Rat Anal Sphincter Acute Injury Model

“…AI is defined as an involuntary loss of flatus, liquid, or solid stool that is a social or hygienic problem [5]. There are different estimates of the incidence of AI varying from 3% to over 40% in the adult population, depending on the definition and study population [6][7][8]. In women, obstetric injury is one of the main causes of AI, although its etiology is often multifactorial [9].…”