Epidemiology of faecal incontinence: A review of population-based studies

Abstract

Two recent reviews provide perspective on the prevalence of faecal incontinence. Matibag et al. (2003) suggest a range of 1%-11% in population-based studies and 4%-50% in other, mainly clinic-based studies. Harrari (2002) suggests a range of 2%-18% in the community as distinct from 13%-54% in long-term care. The issues raised by these and other reviews (Tariq et al. 2003) include a lack of definition of concepts and indicators, inconsistent age and gender relationships, lack of information on social groups and differences in health-related risk factors identified. The aim of this paper is to review all the evidence from population-based studies and thereby clarify the epidemiology of faecal incontinence.