Epidemiology of Fecal Incontinence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2025v7n5p1187-1197Keywords:
Incontinência Fecal; Epidemiologia; Prevalência.Abstract
Fecal incontinence (FI) is a multifactorial condition that significantly impacts individuals'
quality of life, potentially leading to social isolation, embarrassment, and psychological
distress. The prevalence of FI is underestimated due to stigma, patients' hesitation to seek
medical care, and the lack of active screening by healthcare professionals. Factors such as
advanced age, female gender, neurological and inflammatory bowel diseases, and previous
anorectal surgeries are associated with the development of the condition. Research highlights
that FI is more common in women, possibly due to obstetric injuries and pelvic floor
alterations, and it is also prevalent among institutionalized elderly individuals. Diagnosis
faces challenges related to underreporting and the lack of direct questioning about symptoms.
Treatment should be individualized and stepwise, including dietary modifications, pelvic
floor strengthening, pharmacological therapies, and, in some cases, surgical interventions.
The dissemination of information and the training of healthcare professionals are essential to
improving screening and management of the condition, ultimately promoting a better quality
of life for patients.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Leticia Ribeiro Costa, Doryane dos Reis Lima, Kaliandra Schreiner Cruz
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors are copyright holders under a CCBY 4.0 license.
