Open AccessPrevalence of fecal incontinence in a cohort of systemic sclerosis patients within a regional referral network
Author(s) -
Garros A,
Marjoux S,
Khouatra C,
Coppere B,
Grange C,
Hot A,
Roman S,
Damon H,
Mion F
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640616688129
Subject(s) - medicine , fecal incontinence , cohort , constipation , population , referral , cohort study , feces , quality of life (healthcare) , depression (economics) , physical therapy , gastroenterology , paleontology , nursing , environmental health , family medicine , biology , macroeconomics , economics
Background The prevalence of gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis is higher than 75%. The estimated prevalence of fecal incontinence varies from 22% to 77%, but suffers from recruitment bias and patient reluctance. Our goal was to evaluate the prevalence of fecal incontinence in systemic sclerosis, and to identify associated risk factors. Methods Patients were recruited in the referral systemic sclerosis network of the Lyon University Hospitals, using self‐administered questionnaires including constipation, fecal incontinence and Bristol Stool scales, quality of life, anxiety and depression. The cohort was compared with the historical ORALIA cohort that established the prevalence of fecal incontinence in the general population of the Rhône‐Alpes region (France). Results Seventy‐seven patients were included (mean age: 60 years, range: 32–84), and 86% were female. These were compared to 153 ORALIA individuals matched for age and sex. Fecal incontinence was present in 38% of patients and 6% of the general population. A longer duration of systemic sclerosis was the only characteristic associated with fecal incontinence. Abnormal stool consistency was more frequent in patients with fecal incontinence. Conclusion Fecal incontinence and abnormal stool consistency are common in systemic sclerosis and should be systematically addressed.