Scintigraphic Assessment of Retrograde Colonic Washout in Fecal Incontinence and Constipation

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the colorectal luminal transport obtained by retrograde colonic washout with a new scintigraphic technique. METHODS: Nineteen patients (5 with spinal cord lesion, 6 with idiopathic fecal incontinence, and 8 with idiopathic constipation) treated with retrograde colonic washout took indium-111–labeled polystyrene pellets to label the bowel contents. Technetium-99m-diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid was mixed with the irrigation fluid to assess its extent within the colorectum. Scintigraphy was performed before and after a standardized washout procedure. The colorectum was divided into four segments: the cecum and ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the rectosigmoid. Assuming ordered evacuation of the colorectum, the contribution of each colonic segment to the total evacuation was expressed in percent of the original segmental counts. The contributions of each segment were summed to reach a total defecation score (range, 0–400), and directional segmental transports were estimated. RESULTS: The defecation score in patients with idiopathic constipation (median, 59; range, 21–130) differed significantly (P < 0.05) from the scores in those with spinal cord lesions (median, 204; range, 108–323) and idiopathic fecal incontinence (median, 188; range, 155–234). Thus, patients with spinal cord lesion or idiopathic fecal incontinence were able to empty most of the rectosigmoid and most of the descending colon, but those with idiopathic constipation could only empty 59 percent of the rectosigmoid. The irrigation fluid on average reached a point just beyond the right colic flexure that correlated with the defecation score (r2 = 0.58, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The effect of retrograde colonic washout was significantly better in spinal cord lesion and idiopathic fecal incontinence than in idiopathic constipation, and its effect correlated with the extent to which the irrigation fluid had entered the colorectum.     

Pharmacotherapy for Fecal Incontinence: A Review

Fecal incontinence is a common clinical problem that often is frustrating to the patient and treating physician. Nonsurgical management for fecal incontinence includes dietary manipulation, Kegel exercises, perianal skin care, and biofeedback therapy. Pharmacotherapies often are used to assist in management of fecal incontinence. A variety of pharmacotherapies have been utilized for the management of fecal incontinence; limited data from randomized, placebo-controlled trials are available. This is a review of the existing literature on clinical trials of several classes of drugs and other medical therapies that may be beneficial for patients with fecal incontinence. The information in this article was obtained by a MEDLINE search for all clinical trials of drug therapy for fecal incontinence. These treatments and the existing data on their use are summarized. Treatments reviewed include stool bulking agents, with an emphasis on the most promising effect obtained with calcium polycarbophil, constipating agents, including loperamide, codeine, amitriptyline, atropine, and diphenoxylate agents injected into the anal sphincter, drugs to enhance anal sphincter function, including topical phenylepherine and oral sodium valproate, and trials of fecal disimpaction. A new classification to easily remember the treatment categories for this condition, based on the "ABCs of treatment for fecal incontinence," has been introduced into the structure of this review.     

New Surgical Options for Fecal Incontinence in Patients With Imperforate Anus

INTRODUCTION: Anorectal malformations are among the various etiologic factors causing fecal incontinence. Patients with imperforate anus are difficult to treat, specifically those with high lesions. The artificial bowel sphincter and electrically stimulated gracilis neosphincter are two relatively new techniques that have been used for the treatment of patients with severe refractory fecal incontinence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of these technologies in the treatment of patients with chronic fecal incontinence due to imperforate anus. METHODS: All patients with imperforate anus who had fecal incontinence and underwent either the artificial bowel sphincter procedure or the gracilis neosphincter procedure between February 1995 and December 2000 were evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative incontinence score (Cleveland Clinic Florida Incontinence Score; 0 = perfect continence; 20 = complete incontinence), quality of life, (Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, 29 items forming 4 scales), and manometric sphincter pressure results were compared. RESULTS: Eleven patients had artificial bowel sphincter and five had the gracilis neosphincter (one nonstimulated) procedure. There were 11 males and 5 females of a mean age of 25.3 (range, 15–45) years. The mean follow-up time was 1.7 years (5 months to 5.7 years). Eight (50 percent) complications occurred in six patients, including three with fecal impaction (all artificial bowel sphincter), three with device migration (two gracilis neosphincter, one artificial bowel sphincter), and two patients with concomitant wound infection (one gracilis neosphincter, one artificial bowel sphincter); no patients had the devices explanted. Fourteen patients had manometric data (10 artificial bowel sphincter and 4 gracilis neosphincter) available. The overall incontinence score decreased from a preoperative mean of 18.5 to a postoperative mean of 7.5 in the artificial bowel sphincter group (P < 0.01) and from 17.4 to 9.4 in the gracilis neosphincter group (P = 0.06). All four Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scales increased in both the artificial bowel sphincter (lifestyle and depression/self-perception, P = 0.02; coping/behavior and embarrassment, P = 0.03) and the gracilis neosphincter (lifestyle and coping, P = 0.06; depression and embarrassment, P = 0.05) patients. As well, the mean resting and squeeze pressures increased with both techniques (artificial bowel sphincter: P = 0.008 and P = 0.02, respectively; gracilis neosphincter: P = 0.4 and P = 0.1, respectively). All results were statistically significant in the artificial bowel sphincter group. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial bowel sphincter and gracilis neosphincter are efficient methods to treat patients with imperforate anus. These techniques should be considered for patients with imperforate anus and severe fecal incontinence.     

The Efficacy of Biofeedback Treatment in Patients with Fecal Incontinence

Background: The initial treatment for fecal incontinence (FI) includes supportive treatment and medical treatment. If the initial treatment fails, biofeedback therapy (BFT) is recommended. However, there are limited and conflicting results in the literature supporting the beneficial effect of BFT for FI. The aim of the study is to analyze the efficacy of BFT in 126 patients who have FI due to several causes.Methods: The data of 126 patients (88 females (69.8%) and 38 males (30.2%)) were collected retrospectively. Colonoscopy, anorectal manometry (ARM), and 3D-Endoanal ultrasonography (EAUS) were performed for all patients before applying BFT. In addition, all patients received toilet training instruction and training in Kegel and other pelvic floor strengthening exercises from an experienced nurse, before BFT.Results: The median age of participants was 54 years (range 18-75 years). While 80 patients (63.5%) had clinical and manometric benefit from BFT, 46 patients (36.5%) did not respond to BFT. According to the EAUS and ARM findings, BFT was beneficial in patients who had partial external sphincter failure, and was unsuccessful in patients who had both internal and external sphincter failure, both internal and external sphincter tears, and external sphincter tear rates of more than 25%. After BFT, significant increases in squeeze pressures were observed, with this increase being higher in the positive-response group.Conclusion: The results suggest that BFT is effective in the treatment of FI for specific patient populations.     

Experimental Models of Neuropathic Fecal Incontinence: An Animal Model of Childbirth Injury to the Pudendal Nerve and External Anal Sphincter

Purpose  Childbirth is the most common cause of fecal incontinence and damage to the pudendal nerve is a major component of childbirth injury. This study was designed to develop an acute animal model of injury to the innervation of the external anal sphincter. Methods  Forty-eight female virgin wistar rats were studied. Two models of neuropathic injury were developed. Bilateral inferior rectal nerve crush (Group A) acted as a positive control. Prolonged intrapelvic retrouterine balloon inflation (Group B) simulated the pelvic compressive forces of labor. Quantitative analysis of external anal sphincter muscle function was performed by using electromyography, external anal sphincter specific force production, and stereologic calculation of external anal sphincter mass. Results  Injury in both groups caused significant atrophy of the external anal sphincter (P = 0.002, ANOVA) and electromyographic evidence of reinnervation at one week. Specific force (mN force per mg mass) was not altered. External anal sphincter muscle mass recovered after four weeks in Group B. Conclusions  Balloon dilation within the boney pelvis results in denervation of the external anal sphincter and offers an experimental model of the effects of childbirth on the continence mechanism in humans. Supported by a grant from The Health Research Board, Ireland. Presented at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, St. Louis, Missouri, June 2 to 6, 2007, and was the winner of the Research Forum Prize.     

Innovations in Fecal Incontinence: Sacral Nerve Stimulation

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to present an overview of sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of fecal incontinence. We describe the evolution in technique, patient selection, and indications, and review results and complications.METHODS All articles on sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence that were recovered on MEDLINE search were reviewed. With multiple articles from an institution, the most recent reports with the longest follow-up and largest cohort of patients were selected, unless information from earlier reports was relevant.RESULTS The technique of sacral stimulation is well established, carries little risk, and continues to be refined (e.g., a less invasive approach has been proposed). Patient selection is based on a two-stage diagnostic test stimulation (acute and subchronic), for which the predictive value is high. On this basis, permanent sacral nerve stimulation has proved effective in both single-center and multicenter trials in patients with a functional deficit but limited morphologic lesions or no morphologic lesions. The clinical benefit derives from multiple symptomatic improvements contributing to better bowel control and from substantially improved quality of life. The underlying mechanism of action remains undefined, but both somatic and autonomic function appears affected.CONCLUSION Sacral nerve stimulation offers a safe treatment mode in a patient population in whom conservative treatment has failed and traditional surgical approaches would have limited success. The high predictive value of the diagnostic approach offers a unique therapeutic advantage.Presented in part at the International Colorectal Disease Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 13 to 15, 2003.     

Long-Term Functional Assessment of Antegrade Colonic Enema for Combined Incontinence and Constipation Using a Modified Marsh and Kiff Technique

Purpose Constipation and fecal incontinence can severely affect quality of life for patients, particularly when simultaneously present. Malone antegrade colonic enema enables periodic colonic emptying, thus preventing uncontrolled passage of feces and constipation. Methods Eleven patients with fecal incontinence and severe constipation or perineal colostomy after Miles’ operation underwent a modified Marsh and Kiff ileostomy for antegrade colonic enema. Before and after surgery, the patients were fully evaluated for gastrointestinal functions, including gallbladder and stomach emptying time, H₂-breath test, colonic transit time, dynamic defecography, and anorectal manometry. The severity of incontinence and constipation was scored preoperatively and postoperatively by using the American Medical System score and Cleveland Clinic Constipation scale, respectively, whereas the quality of life was measured by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index. The surgical technique involved division of the terminal ileum 10 to 15 cm from the ileocecal valve, anastomosis and intussusception of the ileum with the cecum, narrowing of the ileal conduit with a linear stapler, and a small, introflexed ileostomy with an advanced skin flap. Results During the postoperative period, the mean American Medical System score decreased significantly from 77 to 11 (P < 0.01) and the mean Cleveland Clinic Constipation score from 23 to 8.5 (P < 0.01) with a significant improvement of quality of life. Antegrade colonic enema did not affect gallbladder, gastric, or orocecal transit time, which remained comparable with baseline. Colonic scintigraphy showed that antegrade colonic enema was efficient to clean the whole colon and rectum, leaving only 24 (range, 6–40) percent of the initial radioactivity after 30 minutes. Ileal manometry confirmed the presence of a high-pressure zone, preventing accidental reflux. Conclusions Modified Marsh and Kiff technique is a safe and effective surgical option to treat patients with combined fecal incontinence and severe constipation and those with perineal colostomy after Miles. It should be recommended as a last option before colostomy. Presented in part as a poster at the meeting of the EACP and ECCP, Bologna, Italy, September 15 to 17, 2005. Reprints are not available.     

Electrophysiologic Studies and Clinical Findings in Females With Combined Fecal and Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Study

Purpose Several clinical, urodynamic, and manometric findings suggest neurologic damage as a contributing factor in the development of combined fecal and urinary incontinence. In this study, we wanted to test the hypothesis of pudendal nerve neuropathy being a more frequent lesion in patients with double incontinence compared with patients with isolated fecal incontinence. Patients Ninety-three females with combined fecal and urinary incontinence and 36 females with isolated fecal incontinence were investigated. All patients underwent anal manometry, endoanal ultrasound, electromyography, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency. Results No statistically significant differences were found in the age, history of vaginal delivery, and chronic straining between both groups. However, the rate of postmenopausal females was higher in the combined fecal and urinary incontinence group (85 vs. 67 percent; P = 0.02). Menopause was an independent risk factor of having double incontinence (odds ratio, 1.4; P = 0.02). Concentric needle electromyography of the external anal sphincter revealed increased duration of the motor unit potentials in 43 and 53 percent of patients with combined fecal and urinary incontinence and isolated fecal incontinence, respectively (P = 0.28). An increased number of polyphasic motor unit potentials was detected in 52 and 58 percent (P = 0.6). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of bilateral (20 vs. 27 percent) or unilateral (23 vs. 14 percent) prolonged mean pudendal nerve terminal motor latency between both groups (P = 0.3). Conclusions Pudendal neuropathy is not a distinct characteristic of patients with double incontinence. The prevalence of pudendal neuropathy in these patients is similar to that observed in patients with isolated fecal incontinence. Others factors should be investigated to explain the common association of both types of incontinence. Presented at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 30 to May 5, 2005, and the International Symposium Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Toulouse, France, July 3 to 6, 2005. Reprints are not available.     

Neurogenic bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury, myelomeningocele, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease

Exciting new features have been described concerning neurogenic bowel dysfunction,including interactions between the central nervous system,the enteric nervous system,axonal injury,neuronal loss,neurotransmission of noxious and non-noxious stimuli,and the fields of gastroenterology and neurology.Patients with spinal cord injury,myelomeningocele,multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease present with serious upper and lower bowel dysfunctions characterized by constipation,incontinence,gastrointestinal motor ...     

Antegrade Continence Enema in the Treatment of Congenital Fecal Incontinence Beyond Childhood

Purpose  The role of antegrade continence enema for the treatment of congenital fecal incontinence in adult patients remains unclear. Materials  Twenty-seven patients, median age 19 (range, 17–43) years, with congenital fecal incontinence underwent surgery for antegrade continence enema and were prospectively followed up for functional outcome after a median of 25 (range, 3–117) months. Results  The diagnoses included myelodysplasia (n = 14), anorectal malformations (n = 6), and others (n = 7). Antegrade continence enema conduits included appendicostomy (n = 22) and cecal (n = 2), ileal (n = 2), and sigmoid (n = 1) tubes. Thirteen (48 percent) patients had complications. Eighteen (66 percent) patients became fully continent, six (23 percent) had minor, and three (11 percent) major soiling. Antegrade continence enema became unnecessary in three patients (11 percent). Treatment with antegrade continence enema failed in three cases. Of the 21 patients who continued with antegrade continence enema, 16 (76 percent) are fully continent, and bowel function and quality of life was improved in 15 (71 percent) and 13 (62 percent) patients, respectively. The scores of convenience (1 = easy, 5 = difficult) and overall satisfaction (1 = poor, 10 = excellent) were median 2 (range, 1–4) and 8 (range, 3–10). Conclusions  Despite numerous complications and occasional treatment failures, 90 percent of adult patients with congenital fecal incontinence benefited from antegrade continence enema. Reprints are not available     

A Controlled Trial of an Intervention to Improve Urinary and Fecal Incontinence and Constipation

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate effects of a multicomponent intervention on fecal incontinence (FI) and urinary incontinence (UI) outcomes. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Six nursing homes (NHs). PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twelve NH residents. INTERVENTION: Intervention subjects were offered toileting assistance, exercise, and choice of food and fluid snacks every 2 hours for 8 hours per day over 3 months. MEASUREMENTS: Frequency of UI and FI and rate of appropriate toileting as determined by direct checks from research staff. Anorectal assessments were completed on a subset of 29 residents. RESULTS: The intervention significantly increased physical activity, frequency of toileting, and food and fluid intake. UI improved (P=.049), as did frequency of bowel movements (P<.001) and percentage of bowel movements (P<.001) in the toilet. The frequency of FI did not change. Eighty‐nine percent of subjects who underwent anorectal testing showed a dyssynergic voiding pattern, which could explain the lack of efficacy of this intervention program alone on FI. CONCLUSION: This multicomponent intervention significantly changed multiple risk factors associated with FI and increased bowel movements without decreasing FI. The dyssynergic voiding pattern and rectal hyposensitivity suggest that future interventions may have to be supplemented with bulking agents (fiber), biofeedback therapy, or both to improve bowel function.     

Subtypes of Anal Incontinence Associated With Bowel Dysfunction: Clinical,Physiologic, and Psychosocial Characterization

BACKGROUND We hypothesized that functional anal incontinence with no structural explanation comprises distinct pathophysiologic subgroups that could be identified on the basis of the predominant presenting bowel pattern.METHODS Consecutive patients (n = 80) were prospectively grouped by bowel symptoms as 1) incontinence only, 2) incontinence + constipation, 3) incontinence + diarrhea, and 4) incontinence + alternating bowel symptoms. The Hopkins Bowel Symptom Questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist 90-R, and anorectal manometry were completed.RESULTS Significant group differences were found between subcategories of incontinent patients on the basis of symptoms. Abdominal pain was more frequent in patients with altered bowel patterns. Patients with alternating symptoms reported the highest prevalence of abdominal pain, rectal pain, and bloating. Basal anal pressures were significantly higher in alternating patients (P = 0.03). Contractile pressures in the distal anal canal were diminished in the incontinent-only and diarrhea groups (P = 0.004). Constipated patients with incontinence exhibited elevated thresholds for the urge to defecate (P = 0.027). Dyssynergia was significantly more frequent in patients with incontinence and constipation or alternating bowel patterns.CONCLUSIONS Distinct patterns of pelvic floor dysfunction were identified in patient subgroups with anal incontinence, based on the presence or absence of altered bowel patterns. Physiologic assessments suggested different pathophysiologic mechanisms among the subgroups. The evaluation of patients with fecal incontinence should consider altered bowel function.Presented in part at the meeting of the American Gastroenterology Association, San Diego, California, May 21 to 24, 2000.Published in abstract form in Gastroenterology 2000;118:A1166.     

Adaptation to Spanish Language and Validation of the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale

Purpose The aim of this study was to perform a psychometric evaluation of the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale in the Spanish language. Methods Eleven hospitals in Spain participated in the study, which included 118 patients with active fecal incontinence. All the patients filled out a questionnaire on the severity of their incontinence, a general questionnaire of health (Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form), and a Spanish translation of the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida de Incontinencia Anal), which consists of 29 items in four domains: lifestyle, behavior, depression, and embarrassment. On a second visit, patients repeated the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale. For each domain, an evaluation was made of temporal reliability, internal reliability, the convergent validity with the generic questionnaire of health, and the discriminant validity correlating the domains of Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida de Incontinencia Anal with the severity of fecal incontinence. Results For cultural adaptation, the answer alternatives for 14 items were modified. A total of 111 patients (94 percent) completed the study adequately. Temporal reliability (test–retest) was good for all domains except for embarrassment, which showed significant differences (P < 0.02). Internal reliability was good/excellent for all domains (Cronbach alpha >0.80, between 0.84 and 0.96). The four domains of Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida de Incontinencia Anal significantly correlated with the domains of the generic questionnaire on health (P < 0.01) and with the scale of severity of fecal incontinence (P < 0.001). All domains of Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida de Incontinencia Anal correlated negatively with the need to wear pads (P < 0.01) and with the presence of complete fecal incontinence. Conclusions The Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida de Incontinencia Anal incorporates sufficient requirements of reliability and validity to be applied to patients with fecal incontinence. Supported in part by a grant from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Grant 03/02). Presented at the meeting of the Asociación Espa?ola de Gastroenterología, Madrid, Spain, March 1 to 2, 2002.     

Short-term sacral nerve stimulation for functional anorectal and urinary disturbances: results in 40 patients: evaluation of a new option for anorectal functional disorders

PURPOSE: There are several options in the treatment of fecal incontinence; it is often difficult to choose the most appropriate, adequate treatment. The consolidated experience gained in the urologic field suggests that sacral nerve stimulation may be a further option in the choice of treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the preliminary results of the peripheral nerve evaluation test obtained in a multicenter collaborative study on patients with defecatory and urinary disturbances. METHODS: Forty patients (9 males; mean age, 50.2; range, 26–79 years) underwent the peripheral nerve evaluation test, 28 (70 percent) for fecal incontinence and 12 (30 percent) for chronic constipation. Fourteen (35 percent) patients also had urinary incontinence; six had urge incontinence, two had stress incontinence, and six had retention incontinence. Associated diseases were scleroderma (2 patients), spinal injuries (4 patients), and syringomyelia (1 patient). All the patients underwent preliminary investigations with anorectal manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing, anal ultrasound, defecography, and if required, urodynamic tests. The electrode for sacral nerve stimulation was positioned percutaneously under local anesthesia in the S2 (4), S3 (34), or S4 (1) foramen unilaterally (1 patient not accounted for because of no response to acute test), based on the best motor and subjective responses of paresthesia of the pelvic floor. Stimulation parameters were average amplitude, 2.8 (range, 1–6) V and average frequency, 15 to 25 Hz. RESULTS: The mean duration of the tests was 9.9 (range, 7–30) days; tests lasting fewer than seven days were not evaluated. There were four early displacements of the electrode. In 22 of the 25 evaluable patients with fecal incontinence, there was an improvement of symptoms (88 percent), and 11 (44 percent) were completely continent to liquid or solid stools, whereas in 7 symptoms were unchanged. Mean number of episodes of liquid or solid stool incontinence per week was 8.1 (range, 4–18) in the prestimulation period and 1.7 (range, 0–12) during the peripheral nerve evaluation test. (P=0.001; Wilcoxon's signed-rank test). The most important manometric findings were: increase of maximum rest pressure (39.4 ± 7.3vs. 54.3 ± 8.5 mmHg;P=0.014, Wilcoxon's test) and maximum squeeze pressure (84.7 ± 8.8vs. 99.5 ± 1.1 mmHg;P=0.047), reduction of initial threshold (63.6 ± 5.2vs. 42.4 ± 4.7 ml;P=0.041) and urge sensation (123.8 ± 0.6vs. 78.3 ± 8.9 ml;P=0.05). An improvement was also found in patients with constipation, with reduction in difficulty emptying the rectum, with prestimulation at 7 (range, 2–21) episodes per week and end of peripheral nerve evaluation test at 2.1 (range, 0–6) episodes per week, (P<0.01) and in the number of unsuccessful visits to the toilet, which dropped from 29.2 (7–24) to 6.7 (0–28) per week (P=0.01). The most important manometric findings in constipated patients were an increase in amplitude of maximum squeeze pressure during sacral nerve stimulation (prestimulation, 63 ± 0 mm Hg; end of peripheral nerve evaluation test, 78 ± 1 mm Hg;P=0.009) and a reduction in rectal volume for urge threshold (prestimulation, 189 ± 52 ml; end of peripheral nerve evaluation test, 139 ± 45 ml;P= 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In functional bowel disorders short-term sacral nerve stimulation seems to be a useful diagnostic tool to assess patients for a minor invasive therapy alternative to conventional surgical procedure.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Boston, Massachusetts, June 24 to 29, 2000.     

Fecal Incontinence: The Quality of Reported Randomized,Controlled Trials in the Last Ten Years

Purpose

This study was designed to analyze the characteristics and the quality of reporting of randomized, controlled trials published during the last ten years on fecal incontinence.

Methods

An electronic search for all randomized, controlled trials on fecal incontinence was undertaken by using the MEDLINE database via PubMed. The data collected were divided into general data, characteristics of reporting, methodology quality assessment using the Jadad scale and a validated methodology quality score (MINCIR score), evaluation of the items published in the CONSORT statement, and the journal impact factor. Reports were divided into two groups: published articles from 1996 to 2000 (Group 1), and from 2001 to 2005 (Group 2).

Results

Forty-two trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study (Group 1, n?=?15; and Group 2, n?=?27). There were no significant differences in general characteristics of randomized, controlled trials between the two groups. In Group 2, there were a statistically significant higher number of studies that reported a flow chart (P?P?=?0.008), sample size calculation (P?=?0.023), and withdrawals and dropouts (P?P?=?0.046) and MINCIR score (P?=?0.016) in the published studies in Group 2. Also we found higher journal impact factor of journals that published these randomized, controlled trials during the most recent years (P?=?0.04).

Conclusions

There is a lack of high-quality reported randomized, controlled trials on fecal incontinence during the last ten years. Reports of randomized, controlled trials involving patients with fecal incontinence published after 2001 were better reported than in the previous five years.