E-Posters-Clinical Care Pathway for Women with Fecal Incontinence

Clinical Care Pathway for Women with Fecal Incontinence - Kelley D Stewart, MD

Pdf Summary

This document discusses a clinical care pathway for women with fecal incontinence (FI), a condition that negatively impacts quality of life. The prevalence of FI is estimated to be between 2-25%, but it is likely underestimated due to patients' reluctance to seek care. While clinical care pathways have been developed for women with overactive bladder, little is known about the care pathway for women with FI. <br /><br />The study included 78 patients with a Wexner score of 15 or higher, indicating severe FI. The mean age of the patients was 62.6 years, with 44% having Medicaid insurance and 63% being non-Hispanic White. Most patients (75%) had a prior diagnosis of depression. Only 8% of the patients in the study went on to receive definitive surgical treatment after presenting to the clinic. <br /><br />The decision to proceed with surgical treatment was typically delayed, with the majority of patients having at least three clinic visits before making the decision. Approximately one-third of patients only had one clinic visit, suggesting possible dissatisfaction with treatment options. <br /><br />The study highlights the need for a standardized clinical care pathway for FI to improve the efficiency of delivering definitive treatment. It also emphasizes the significant delay in receiving surgical treatment for patients with FI. By understanding the clinical course and time elapsed from presentation to advanced therapies, healthcare providers can work towards developing more effective care pathways for women with severe FI.

Keywords

clinical care pathway

women

fecal incontinence

quality of life

prevalence

underestimated

overactive bladder

Wexner score

surgical treatment

clinic visits