Treating Fecal Incontinence: An Unmet Need in Primary Care Medicine

William E Whitehead; Olafur S Palsson; Magnus Simren

doi:10.18043/ncm.77.3.211

Treating Fecal Incontinence: An Unmet Need in Primary Care Medicine

N C Med J. 2016 May-Jun;77(3):211-5. doi: 10.18043/ncm.77.3.211.

Authors

William E Whitehead¹, Olafur S Palsson², Magnus Simren³

Affiliations

¹ professor of medicine and director, Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina [email protected].
² professor of medicine, Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
³ visiting scientist, Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; professor of medicine, Institute of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

PMID: 27154893
DOI: 10.18043/ncm.77.3.211

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.

MeSH terms

Fecal Incontinence / diagnosis*
Fecal Incontinence / psychology
Fecal Incontinence / therapy
Humans
Mass Screening
Primary Health Care*
Risk Factors