Fecal incontinence

FECAL incontinence is personally and socially incapacitating. The stigma is so considerable that many affected patients are unwilling to admit they have fecal incontinence, and physicians are often reluctant even to inquire about it. Fecal incontinence generally affects elderly persons and is particularly prevalent among institutionalized patients.¹ However, many young patients are also affected. Data from Great Britain suggest a community prevalence of 4.2 men and 1.7 women per 1000 people who are 15 to 64 years of age, and of 10.9 men and 13.3 women per 1000 people who are 65 or older.² The prevalence of fecal incontinence ranges.