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Aetiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Broadly the causes of faecal incontinence can be divided into seven aetiological subgroups, with patients falling into one or more groups.

  • Structural anorectal abnormalities (e.g., sphincter trauma, rectal prolapse).
  • Neurological conditions.
  • Alterations in stool consistency.
  • Overflow
  • Cognitive/behavioural dysfunction (e.g., dementia, learning difficulties).
  • General debility
  • Idiopathic.

Note

  • obstetric sphincter damage is the most common cause of incontinence in young women, and sphincter damage has been estimated to occur in 11% of women who give birth vaginally (2)

 

Reference

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Faecal incontinence in adults: management. Jun 2007 [internet publication].
  2. Dudding TC, Vaizey CJ, Kamm MA. Obstetric anal sphincter injury: incidence, risk factors, and management. Ann Surg. 2008 Feb;247(2):224-37

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