Prevalence and risk factors of fecal incontinence in women undergoing stress incontinence surgery

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and identify potential risk factors for monthly fecal incontinence (FI) in women presenting for stress urinary incontinence (UI) surgery. Study Design: From 655 women enrolled in the Stress Incontinence Surgical Treatment Efficacy Trial, baseline data were analyzed. FI was defined as occurring at least monthly. Independent variables included sociodemographics, health status and history, physical examination, and validated UI questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression models compared women with FI with women with only UI. Results: Prevalence of monthly FI was 16%, 10% for liquid stool, and 6% for solid stool. In multivariable analysis, increased risk of FI was associated (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) with decreased anal sphincter contraction (4.5, 2.0 to 10.4), perimenopausal status (2.4, 1.1 to 5.0), prior incontinence surgery/treatment (1.8, 1.1 to 2.9), and increased UI bother (1.1, 1.1 to 1.2). Conclusion: Women enrolled in a stress UI surgical trial have high rates of monthly FI and further evaluation of FI symptoms may be warranted.