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Defecation Disorders: A French Population Survey

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Purpose

Despite frequent occurrence, functional defecation disorders and related conditions have been infrequently reported in population studies. This study was designed to assess symptoms, lifestyle-behavioral changes, and medical care seeking related to functional defecation disorders in alarge household community survey.

Methods

A large household community survey was conducted in 10,000 individuals aged 15 years or older. A mailed questionnaire was used to assess ten common anorectal complaints; frequency, association, impact on quality of life, and medical care seeking were quantified.

Results

Evaluation was obtained in 7,196 patients (3,455 males). During the previous 12-month period, 2,097 patients (29.1 percent) experienced functional defecation disorders: outlet constipation and fecal incontinence were reported in 22.4 and 16.8 percent respectively. Compared with patients with no anorectal complaint, patients with functional defecation disorders had a different gender status (females, 63.3 vs. 47.6 percent; P < 0.01). Based on symptom severity, functional defecation disorders were perceived as the main anorectal complaint in 1,192 patients. In this group, emptying difficulties, unsatisfied defecation, gas, and fecal incontinence occurred at least once per month in 71.6, 56.1, 77.9, and 49 percent respectively: 66.6 percent with outlet constipation and 85.6 percent with incontinence revealed impairment in quality of life. Incontinent patients more frequently avoided medical care than those complaining of outlet constipation (67.4 vs. 46.4 percent; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Functional defecation disorders concerns at least one of four French individuals. Outlet constipation and fecal incontinence frequently occur in association. Despite a low rate of patients seeking care, symptoms often are severe and related to quality of life impairment.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Richard Medeiros, M.D., Medical Editor of Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France, for assistance, the Groupe de Recherche EnProctologie for validation of the questionnaire, Taylor Nelson Sofres, which organized both mailing and analyses of returned questionnaires, L. Abramowitz, M.D., J. Cittee, M.D., G. Delmas, I. Etienney, M.D., A. Martin, M. Murino, M.D., E. Nuris, T. Puy Montbrun, M.D., Y. Panis, M.D., Ph.D., O. Peixoto, M.D., P. Périé, S. Roquet, and I. Sobhani, M.D., Ph.D.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Régionale & Universitaire de Pontchaillou, Rennes, France

    Laurent Siproudhis M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Groupe de Recherche En Proctologie, Société Nationale Française de ColoProctologie (Institut Mutualiste Montsouris), Paris, France

    Laurent Siproudhis M.D., Ph.D., François Pigot M.D., Philippe Godeberge M.D., Henri Damon M.D., Denis Soudan M.D. & Marc André Bigard M.D.

  3. Service des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, Centre Hospitalier Régional & Universitaire de Pontchaillou, 35033, Rennes, Cedex, France

    Laurent Siproudhis M.D., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Laurent Siproudhis M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. François Pigot M.D.
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  3. Philippe Godeberge M.D.
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  4. Henri Damon M.D.
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  5. Denis Soudan M.D.
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  6. Marc André Bigard M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laurent Siproudhis M.D., Ph.D..

Additional information

Supported by Beaufour Ipsen pharma (rue Erlanger Paris France) in its financial aspect and by the Société Nationale Française de ColoProctologie (Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Boulevard Jourdan, Paris, France) in its methodological aspect.

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Siproudhis, L., Pigot, F., Godeberge, P. et al. Defecation Disorders: A French Population Survey. Dis Colon Rectum 49, 219–227 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-005-0249-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-005-0249-8

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