Download NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Prevention of Fecal and Urinary Incontinence in Adults

About the conference

Fecal incontinence is a serious and embarrassing problem that affects up to 5% of the general population and up to 39% of nursing home residents. Although urinary incontinence can affect people at all stages of life, it has been estimated that urinary incontinence affects an estimated 38% of women and 17% of men 60 years of age and older. Many people find themselves withdrawing from their social lives and attempt to hide the problem from their family, friends, and even their doctors.

Because incontinence is often underdiagnosed and underreported, it has been difficult to identify both at-risk and affected populations. And, as the biological mechanisms that cause both fecal and urinary incontinence are not well understood, it has been difficult to develop prevention and management strategies.

To examine these important issues, an impartial, independent panel was charged with reviewing the available published literature in advance of the conference, including a systematic literature review. At the conference, subject matter experts presented current findings related to the many aspects of incontinence prevention, interspersed with audience commentary. The panel presented a draft statement of its collective assessment of the evidence to answer each of the conference questions on the final day of the conference; the final, published statement is now available.

Conference sponsors

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH
Office of Medical Applications of Research, NIH

Available online | http://consensus.nih.gov
Order print copies | http://consensus.nih.gov or 1-888-644-2667
View archived webcast | http://consensus.nih.gov


NIH consensus and state-of-the-science statements are prepared by independent panels of health professionals and public representatives on the basis of (1) the results of a systematic literature review prepared under contract with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), (2) presentations by investigators working in areas relevant to the conference questions during a 2-day public session, (3) questions and statements from conference attendees during open discussion periods that are part of the public session, and (4) closed deliberations by the panel during the remainder of the second day and morning of the third. This statement is an independent report of the panel and is not a policy statement of the NIH or the Federal Government.

The statement reflects the panel's assessment of medical knowledge available at the time the statement was written. Thus, it provides a "snapshot in time" of the state of knowledge on the conference topic. When reading the statement, keep in mind that new knowledge is inevitably accumulating through medical research, and that the information provided is not a substitute for professional medical care or advice.