Abstract

Background: Fecal and urinary incontinence (FI and UI) are psychologically and socially debilitating and embarrassing conditions. Aim: To determine the prevalence of FI and associated factors in patients assessed in health centers (HC) and nursing home (NH) residents. Material and Methods: Prospective, multicentric survey carried out in 3 HC and 16 NH of Santiago. Patients and residents of NH were interrogated about FI between March and July, 2004. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 618 patients attending health centers aged 18 to 87 years (75% females) and 128 nursing home residents aged 40 to 103 years (80% females). The prevalence of liquid or solid FI in HC and NH was 2.7 and 45%, respectively. Among the latter, the incontinence for liquids and solids was 19% and 42%, respectively. The prevalence of UI was 30.1 and 62.7% in HC patients and NH residents, respectively. Among patients attending HC, multivariable analysis showed a relation between older age and urinary incontinence with liquid or solid FI. Among NH residents, multivariate analysis showed a relation between urinary incontinence and motor disabilities with liquid or solid FI. Conclusions: The prevalence of liquid or solid FI among patients assessed in health center is 2.7%. This figure increases in older people, those with UI and in NH residents.