Fecal Incontinence in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohns Colitis 360. 2021 Feb 24;3(2):otab013. doi: 10.1093/crocol/otab013. eCollection 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Fecal incontinence (FI) is frequently reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from the Study of a Prospective Adult Research Cohort with IBD registry.

Results: Three hundred forty-seven patients had Crohn disease and 145 had ulcerative colitis. 14.2% of patients reported FI. FI was associated with active disease. FI was not associated with disease location, phenotype, or perianal involvement. Greater than 50 years of age or 15 years of disease increased the odds of FI and remission decreased the odds of FI.

Conclusions: Further research into the mechanism of FI in IBD is needed.

Keywords: Crohn disease; diarrhea; incontinence; quality of life; ulcerative colitis.