The Severity of Fecal Problems Is Negatively Associated With Quality of Life in a Dutch Population Without Bowel Function Comorbidities.
Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Constipation and fecal incontinence negatively influence quality of life. The association between the severity of fecal problems and quality of life has not been investigated in the general population without bowel function comorbidities. To investigate the association between the severity of constipation and fecal incontinence and quality of life in patients without comorbidities influencing bowel function. A population-based, cross-sectional study. The study involved 3668 Dutch study participants. A survey company conducted a population-wide study of the general Dutch population. Altogether, 5000 Dutch citizens completed the Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence and Short Form-36 questionnaires. The data on 3668 respondents without comorbidities that could influence bowel function were included for analysis (study group). The severity of constipation (Agachan score) and fecal incontinence (Wexner score) in relation to the quality-of-life scores. In the study group (n = 3668), 487 had constipation (13.3%), 116 had fecal incontinence (3.2%), and 64 had 2 coexisting fecal problems (1.7%). In the multivariable analysis, all quality-of-life domains were negatively associated with the severity of constipation and fecal incontinence. The associations between the severity of constipation and quality of life were stronger (highest: ß = -2.413; 95% CI, -2.681 to -2.145; p < 0.001) than those of fecal incontinence (highest: ß = -1.280; 95% CI, -1.681 to -.880; p < 0.001)
Abstract
Constipation and fecal incontinence negatively influence quality of life. The association between the severity of fecal problems and quality of life has not been investigated in the general population without bowel function comorbidities. To investigate the association between the severity of constipation and fecal incontinence and quality of life in patients without comorbidities influencing bowel function. A population-based, cross-sectional study. The study involved 3668 Dutch study participants. A survey company conducted a population-wide study of the general Dutch population. Altogether, 5000 Dutch citizens completed the Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence and Short Form-36 questionnaires. The data on 3668 respondents without comorbidities that could influence bowel function were included for analysis (study group). The severity of constipation (Agachan score) and fecal incontinence (Wexner score) in relation to the quality-of-life scores. In the study group (n = 3668), 487 had constipation (13.3%), 116 had fecal incontinence (3.2%), and 64 had 2 coexisting fecal problems (1.7%). In the multivariable analysis, all quality-of-life domains were negatively associated with the severity of constipation and fecal incontinence. The associations between the severity of constipation and quality of life were stronger (highest: ß = -2.413; 95% CI, -2.681 to -2.145; p < 0.001) than those of fecal incontinence (highest: ß = -1.280; 95% CI, -1.681 to -.880; p < 0.001). We also found that a longer duration of bowel complaints coincided with higher severity scores, especially for constipation. Respondents mostly rated their defecation health as positive, regardless of the severity of their fecal problems. Cross-sectional design. The severity of constipation and fecal incontinence is significantly associated with reduced quality of life, with the severity of constipation having stronger associations than fecal incontinence. Given respondents' unawareness of their fecal problems and the progressive character, timely intervention is advocated. See Video Abstract . ANTECEDENTES:El estreñimiento y la incontinencia fecal influyen negativamente en la calidad de vida. La asociación entre la gravedad de los problemas fecales y la calidad de vida no se ha investigado en la población general sin comorbilidades de la función intestinal.OBJETIVO:Investigar la asociación entre la gravedad del estreñimiento y la incontinencia fecal y la calidad de vida en la población holandesa general sin comorbilidades que influyan en la función intestinal.DISEÑO:Estudio transversal de base poblacional.ENTORNO CLINICO:El estudio involucró a 3668 participantes holandeses.PACIENTES:Una empresa de encuestas realizó un estudio poblacional de la población holandesa en general. En total, 5.000 ciudadanos holandeses completaron los cuestionarios Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence y Short-Form 36. Se incluyeron para el análisis los datos de 3668 encuestados sin comorbilidades que pudieran influir en la función intestinal (grupo de estudio).PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:La gravedad del estreñimiento (puntuación de Agachan) y la incontinencia fecal (puntuación de Wexner) en relación con las puntuaciones de calidad de vida.RESULTADOS:En el grupo de estudio (n = 3668), 487 tenían estreñimiento (13,3%), 116 tenían incontinencia fecal (3,2%) y 64 tenían 2 problemas fecales coexistentes (1,7%). En el análisis multivariable, todos los dominios de calidad de vida se asociaron negativamente con la gravedad del estreñimiento y la incontinencia fecal. Las asociaciones entre la gravedad del estreñimiento y la calidad de vida fueron más fuertes (más alta: ß = -2,413; IC del 95 %, -2,681 a -2,145; p < 0,001) que las de la incontinencia fecal (más alta: ß = -1,280; 95 IC %: -1,681 a -0,880; p < 0,001). También encontramos que una mayor duración de las molestias intestinales coincidió con puntuaciones de gravedad más altas, especialmente para el estreñimiento. La mayoría de los encuestados calificaron su salud en la defecación como positiva, independientemente de la gravedad de sus problemas fecales.LIMITACIONES:Diseño transversal.CONCLUSIONES:La gravedad del estreñimiento y la incontinencia fecal se asocia significativamente con una calidad de vida reducida; la gravedad del estreñimiento tiene asociaciones más fuertes que la incontinencia fecal. Dado el desconocimiento de los encuestados sobre sus problemas fecales y el carácter progresivo, se recomienda una intervención oportuna. (Traducción- Dr. Francisco M. Abarca-Rendon ).