Fecal Incontinence:
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control the passage or the loss of gas, liquid and/or solid stool.
- It has been estimated that more than 6.5 million Americans have fecal incontinence. 24
- It is estimated that prevalence of fecal incontinence in the community ranges from 6% in those women younger than 40 years to 15% in older women. Among men living in the community, fecal incontinence is less prevalent but still ranges from 6-10%, also increasing with age. 50
- One out of ten women in the general population has fecal incontinence, with one in fifteen of these women suffering from moderate to severe symptoms. 25
- It is suggested that 2.2 % of all women that have delivered one or more children experience fecal incontinence. 26
- Seven percent of healthy people 65 years and older experience fecal incontinence, and 23% of stroke patients experience it. 25
- 33% of elderly people at home or in a hospital experience bowel control problems. 25
- Vaginal delivery with the assistance of forceps has been shown to be a cause of clinically significant pelvic floor dysfunction, which can lead to fecal incontinence. 27
- In a recently published study of sacral nerve stimulation to treat urge fecal incontinence, 83% of patients experienced a 50% or greater improvement in their fecal incontinence episodes. Continence was achieved in 41% of patients in this study. 49, 51. As a treatment option for fecal incontinence, Medtronic InterStim® Therapy is not yet approved by the FDA.
