Treating Fecal Incontinence: An Unmet Need in Primary Care Medicine

Abstract

Fecal incontinence affects up to 36% of primary care patients. Although effective treatments are available, doctors rarely screen for this condition and patients seldom volunteer complaints of fecal incontinence. Conservative management yields 60% improvement in symptoms and continence in 20% of patients. Referrals are currently being accepted for studies seeking to improve case detection and to support conservative management or self-care.