Needing help to use a toilet was associated with faecal incontinence at 3 months in new onset faecal incontinence after stroke
QUESTION: In patients with new onset faecal incontinence after stroke, which prognostic factors are associated with bowel continence status at 3 months of follow up?
Design
Inception cohort followed up for 3 years.
Setting
South London, UK.
Patients
1468 patients without pre-existing faecal incontinence, who survived a first in a lifetime stroke were recruited from the community based South London Stroke Register. 846 patients (53% men) were included in the primary analysis at 3 months (412 patients had died, and data for 210 patients were not available).
Assessment of prognostic factors
Data were collected in the acute stroke phase (within the first 10 d) by research registrars, and at 3 months, 1 year, and then annually by face to face interviews with a trained field worker. When reliable answers could not be obtained directly from patients (because of cognitive impairment, communication difficulties, or severe illness), the information was sought from family, caregivers, nursing home or …
