Prevalence of and quality of life related to anal incontinence in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of anal incontinence (AI) in woman with urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We also evaluated the impact on quality of life (QoL).Study designOne hundred and ninety patients with UI or POP and 73 controls were recruited. AI was investigated by the Wexner index and the prevalence rates were obtained in all groups. Patients with AI completed the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (FIQL). QoL was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).ResultsAI prevalence was 40.54% in the UI group and 27.91% in the POP group (p < 0.0001). In the UI and POP groups correlations were found between the Wexner score and the domains of the FIQL and SF36.ConclusionThe UI group had higher prevalence of AI than the other groups. The AI adversely affected the QoL of patients.