Forty six patients (median age 61 years; 42 women) with faecal incontinence and 16 age and sex matched controls undergoing a restorative proctocolectomy were assessed by clinical examination, anorectal physiology, and anal endosonography. Forty patients (87%) with faecal incontinence had a sphincter defect demonstrated on anal endosonography (31 external and 21 internal anal sphincter defects)....

Exposure of the skin to urine and faeces, or both, can result in moisture lesions or incontinenceassociated dermatitis (IAD) (Rees and Pagnamenta, 2009). Recent studies have suggested prevalence rates from 3.4% (Zimmaro et al, 2006) to 5% (Iverson, 2009), but this could be higher depending on the clinical setting. This condition can have a considerable impact on the patient’s physical and psych...

BACKGROUND About one-third of women have urinary incontinence and up to one-tenth have faecal incontinence after childbirth. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is commonly recommended during pregnancy and after birth for both prevention and treatment of incontinence.This is an update of a review previously published in 2012. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle tr...

Aims: To quantify the prevalence of faecal incontinence in the Australian population by deriving age and gender-specific rates of urinary incontinence from the literature and applying them to the Australian population. Materials and Methods: Systematic review of the literature pertaining to the prevalence of urinary incontinence from 1995 onward. Setting: Only studies of the prevalence of commu...

OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of nurse assessment with reinforcement of pelvic floor muscle training exercises and bladder training compared with standard management among women with persistent incontinence three months postnatally. DESIGN Randomised controlled trial with nine months' follow up. SETTING Community intervention in three centres (Dunedin, New Zealand; Birmingham; Aberdeen). ...

Faecal incontinence can be a debilitating, distressing and isolatin condition that affects individuals' quality of life. This article discusses the definition, prevalence and causes of faecal incontinence, emphasises the importance of assessment and examines how this stigmatising condition affects adults. Once a differential diagnosis is made, an appropriate patient-centred treatment plan can b...

AIM We assessed pubovisceral muscle (PVM) defects, levator hiatal dimensions and anal sphincter defects using three-dimensional (3D) endovaginal and anorectal ultrasonography in women with previous vaginal delivery and faecal incontinence to determine the relationship between anatomic/functional findings and severity of faecal incontinence symptoms. METHOD This was a prospective, observationa...

BACKGROUND Faecal incontinence is a common, distressing and debilitating condition which remains largely hidden, leading to social isolation and loss of confidence. Patients with faecal incontinence experience delays in accessing appropriate treatment services due to embarrassment and lack of enquiry from primary care health professionals. Despite the publication of three government documents r...