The coexistence of anal incontinence in women with urinary incontinence.

Purpose: To investigate the coexistentence of anal incontinence (AI) in patients with urinary incontinence (UI).

Materials And Methods: UDI 6 questionnaire was applied to consecutive 800 patients for the determination of symptomatic UI. Cases were also questioned for AI. The patients with the complaint of UI were evaluated for the coexistence of AI. Each patient with AI, had completed the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence questionnaire for the determination of the severity of AI. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test were used for the evaluation of qualitative data. Multivariable analysis using logistic regression was done to test the overall significance of all variables that were significantly associated with UI using univariate analysis.

Results: There were 233 (29.1%) cases of UI and 105 (13.1%) cases of AI. 60 (7.5%) of these patients were suffering from both UI and AI. 60 (57.1%) of 105 patients with AI also had UI. In patients with UI, the coexistence of AI was found in 25.7%. There was a positive correlation between UI and AI (R = 0.240, Chi-square P < 0.001). In logistic regression model, AI [(OR) 3.5, 95% confidence interval 2.26, 5.49], parity and episiotomy were found to be associated with UI. Parity and vaginal delivery by episiotomy were risk factors for the occurrence of AI.

Conclusion: AI is positively correlated with UI patients. Symptoms of AI must be questioned in all gynecology patients. Unnecessary episiotomy should be avoided.