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Characteristics of primary care processes for the treatment of faecal incontinence in an urban area
Author(s) -
DelgadoAros S.,
Solano Silveira R.,
Sala M.,
Roura Olivan M.,
Civit P.,
Ilzarbe Sánchez L.,
Muñoz Galitó J.,
Ibáñez Zafón I. A.,
Bory Ros F.,
Andreu García M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
colorectal disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.029
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1463-1318
pISSN - 1462-8910
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2010.02462.x
Subject(s) - medicine , primary care , intensive care medicine , family medicine
Aim In this study, we investigated the adequacy of the healthcare response systems to detect and treat faecal incontinence in patients in the primary care areas (PCAs) in a core urban area of Barcelona. Method Patients with a diagnosis of faecal incontinence in the study area were identified from the electronic register of diagnostic codes, and from a manual review of electronic medical records of a random sample of the study population. The remaining variables were obtained through a structured telephone interview. Results In the study population ( n = 65 023) with a previously estimated prevalence of faecal incontinence of 13% [95% confidence interval (CI) 10–17%], 68 cases of faecal incontinence were detected by the health care system (prevalence: 0.10%; 95% CI, 0.08–0.13). Of these, 39 patients (68% women, 68 ± 18 years of age) were interviewed: 18 (46%) reported symptoms lasting for longer than 5–10 years and 20 (51%) had waited for more than 5 years before seeking medical advice. Only 8 (18%) had received any treatment for faecal incontinence, and 18 (46%) reported persistent faecal incontinence at the time of the interview (Vaizey severity score 13 ± 4/24). Conclusion The detection and treatment of faecal incontinence is insufficient in primary care services. Strategies to correct this are needed.