Evaluation of the prevalence of anal incontinence in outpatient population of secondary care

• Grant number: 18/02642-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2018
• End date: June 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Marleny Novaes Figueiredo de Araujo
• Grantee: Carla Baioni Bonadio
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de Barretos Dr Paulo Prata (FACISB). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Anal incontinence is a complaint of involuntary loss of feces and/or flatus that represents a public health problem. It is a symptom that affects the life quality of patients in the physical, psychological and social spheres. There are several causes of this disorder, and furthermore, to achieve effective continence, there are several factors involved. There is in the medical literature a low investigation of this condition by health professionals, adding the limited amount of complaints of the affected individuals, causing the incidence of incontinence to be underestimated. Incontinence occurs in all ages and in both sexes, affecting between 1% and 20% of adults. Among the most important factors for its development are: advanced age, obesity, menopause, pelvic surgery, childbirth, muscular organ deficiency, physical damage and medication, as well as obstetric factors using forceps. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of anal incontinence in the population of a secondary care clinic, in its different degrees of severity. Methodology: The study is descriptive and cross-sectional epidemiological type. It will be developed in the city of Barretos-SP, the target population being patients from a secondary care clinic. The Jorge-Wexner scale of incontinence and a collection form with medical and personal data of the interviewees will be applied. It is expected to recruit 600 patients for the project. The sampling method will be a non-probabilistic sample, for convenience.