Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Quality of Life in Women With Fecal Incontinence.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this work were to determine the prevalence of irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) and IBS subtypes in women presenting for fecal incontinence (FI)
treatment and to assess the impact of IBS on FI symptoms and quality of life (QOL).
METHODS: In this multicenter prospective cohort study, women reported at least monthly
solid, liquid, or mucus FI. Rome III clinical criteria defined IBS. Women also self-reported
having an IBS diagnosis. Baseline questionnaires included the following: Modified
Manchester Health Questionnaire, Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, Bristol Stool
Scale, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire.
RESULTS: Of the 133 women enrolled, 119 completed Rome III IBS questionnaires, and
111 reported on whether they had a previous diagnosis of IBS. The prevalence of IBS
was 31% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.9%-40.2%) according to the Rome III IBS
criteria. The most common subtypes were IBS-mixed (41%) and IBS-diarrhea (35%). Twenty-four
(22%) of 111 patients had a previous diagnosis of IBS. Among women who met Rome III
IBS criteria, 23 (66%) of 35 women had never had a diagnosis of IBS. Women with FI
and IBS reported significantly worse QOL compared to women without IBS despite similar
FI severity and stool consistency. CONCLUSIONS: Irritable bowel syndrome negatively
affects QOL and affects one third of women with FI presenting for care in tertiary
centers. Our findings suggest that assessment of IBS symptoms and diagnosis may be
important for women presenting for FI treatment.
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/15117Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1097/SPV.0000000000000358Publication Info
Markland, Alayne D; Jelovsek, J Eric; Rahn, David D; Wang, Lu; Merrin, Leah; Tuteja,
Ashok; ... Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (2017). Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Quality of Life in Women With Fecal Incontinence. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg, 23(3). pp. 179-183. 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000358. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/15117.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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John E Jelovsek
F. Bayard Carter Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Jelovsek is the F. Bayard Carter Distinguished Professor of OBGYN at Duke University
and serves as Director of Data Science for Women’s Health. He is Board Certified in
OBGYN by the American Board of OBGYN and in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive
Surgery by the American Board of OBGYN and American Board of Urology. He has an active
surgical practice in urogynecology based out of Duke Raleigh. He has expertise as
a clinician-scientist in developing and evaluating clini

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