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Factors associated with quality of life among women with fecal incontinence

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a distressing, highly prevalent condition affecting quality of life (QOL). The aim of our study was to identify predictors of moderate/severe health-related QOL among women with FI.

Methods

Data were collected from women presenting to a multispecialty clinic from January 2005 to July 2009 with FI. All completed questionnaires on demographics and validated instruments including the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Instrument (FIQL), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) for depression, and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with moderate/severe FI.

Results

The study included 226 women with an average age of 59.2 years (SD = 14.1); 92 % were Caucasian, 67 % were married, and the average body mass index was 30.0 (SD = 8.6). Their QOL was moderately/severely affected by FI in 35.6 %. Mean overall FIQL score was 2.5 (SD = 0.8). Median QOL subscale measures were: lifestyle = 2.7 (SD = 1.0), coping = 2.09 (SD = 0.9), depression = 2.8 (SD = 1.0), and embarrassment = 2.2 (SD = 0.9). Average FISI score was 31.6 (SD = 15.7) and average depression score on the PHQ was 8.93 (SD = 8.1). In univariate analyses, diabetes, irritable bowel symptoms, prior hysterectomy, history of previous medical care for FI, higher FISI and PHQ scores were associated with moderate/severe FIQL scores (p < 0.05). Higher PHQ scores and prior hysterectomy significantly predicted moderate/severe QOL in logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

We confirm that women with higher depression scores and prior hysterectomy have moderate/severe QOL impairment. When evaluating FI, screening for depression should be undertaken.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L4000 Women’s Hospital, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, SPC 5276, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    T. M. Smith, X. Xu & D. E. Fenner

  2. Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    S. B. Menees, R. J. Saad & W. D. Chey

Authors
  1. T. M. Smith
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  2. S. B. Menees
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  3. X. Xu
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  4. R. J. Saad
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  5. W. D. Chey
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  6. D. E. Fenner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. M. Smith.

Additional information

Poster presentation

Smith T.M., Menees S.B., Xu X., Saad R.J., Chey W.D., Fenner D.E. Factors associated with quality of life among women with fecal incontinence. Digestive Disease Week, 7–10 May 2011, Chicago, IL, USA.

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Smith, T.M., Menees, S.B., Xu, X. et al. Factors associated with quality of life among women with fecal incontinence. Int Urogynecol J 24, 493–499 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-1889-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-1889-6

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