Quality of Life Differences in Female and Male Patients with Fecal Incontinence

Abstract

Background/AimsTo explore and compare quality of life (QoL) differences in female and male patients with fecal incontinence. MethodsNinety-one patients with fecal incontinence (60 women, mean (SD) age 64.13 (9.72) years; 31 men, mean (SD) age 63.61 (13.33) years) were assessed for pathophysiology (anorectal manometry and ultrasound), clinical severity (Wexner and Vaizey scales), QoL (Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Score [FIQL]) and health status (EQ-5D). ResultsExternal and internal anal sphincter impairment rates were 96.5% and 70.2%, respectively, in women, compared to 30% and 43.3% respectively in men (P < 0.05). Clinical severity was similar in both sexes, with mean (SD) Wexner scores of 10.95 (4.35) for women and 9.81 (4.30) for men, and mean (SD) Vaizey scores of 13.27 (4.66) for women and 11.90 (5.22) for men. Scores for women were significantly lower for all FIQL depression and coping subscales (P < 0.001) and the EQ-5D depression subscale (P < 0.01). EQ-5D index was 0.687 (0.20) for women and 0.835 (0.15) for men (P < 0.001). QoL was negatively affected by female gender (-1.336), anxiety/depression (-1.324) and clinical severity (-0.302), whereas age had a positive impact (0.055 per year) (P < 0.01). ConclusionsThe pathophysiology of fecal incontinence differed between the sexes. For similar severity scores, impact on QoL was higher in women. Gender had the highest impact on QoL compared to other factors. QoL measurements should be part of assessment and treatment protocols.

Differences in Physical Activity, Lactic Acid Concentration, and Quality of Life between Gender among First Year Medical Students

“…This result is different from the findings from the study on fecal incontinence patients that stated female patients have a lower QoL. 16 This also proves that PA alone does not determine the QoL and the QoL can be influenced by subjective factors from the subjects, such as motivation and discipline. Female subjects may have higher motivation and discipline, which may positively influence the QoL score.…”

“…Data available on the difference of QoL between gender is data from fecal incontinence subjectswhere female patients are more affected by the disease and have lower QoL. 16,17 Several factors are associated with the QoL, namely motivation, depression, and impact of a health condition. 18 Other factors are also considered to influence the QoL, such as sense of responsibility, discipline, and motivation of the students.…”

Defective Conduction of Anorectal Afferents Is a Very Prevalent Pathophysiological Factor Associated to Fecal Incontinence in Women

“…Demographic and socioeconomic data, comorbidities, and risk factors of patients and HV were collected as previously described. 4 FI severity was assessed using the Cleveland score. 37 Health Status and Quality of Life Assessment FI-related QoL, the Spanish validated version of the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale (FIQL) was used.…”

“…Fecal incontinence (FI) represents a major psychosocial burden for affected individuals, leading some of them to social restriction and even isolation in severe cases. [1][2][3][4] Reduction in Quality of life (QoL) correlates with FI severity 5,6 but may also be influenced by sex, age and presence of anxiety/depression. 4 Recently reported prevalence rates in the general population estimate vary due to differences in survey methods and in definitions [7][8][9] and are also considered to be under-reported.…”

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

“…Anal incontinence (AI) is a devastating condition that significantly reduces the quality of life. Especially in women, the fecal incontinence symptoms cause depression, embarrassment and lifestyle changes that have a negative effect their everyday life [1]. The primary management of AI is conservative treatment including dietary, medical, and psychological interventions, as well as physiotherapy.…”