Young women and elderly men at risk of severe faecal incontinence: results of a French nationwide database analysis: Faecal incontinence in France

Purpose The incidence of severe faecal incontinence (FI) in young people is likely underestimated. The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of FI by using the French national insurance information system (SNDS). Methods The SNDS was used, including 2 health insurance claims databases. The study included 49,097,454 French people who were ≥ 20 years old in 2019. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of FI. Results In 2019, 123,630 patients out of the entire French population (n = 49 097 454) (0.25%) were treated for FI. The numbers of male and female patients were similar. The data showed a dramatic increase in the incidence of FI between the ages of 20 and 59 in female patients, compared to 60 and 79 in male patients. The risk of FI increased with age (OR of 3.6 to 11.3 depending on age). Women had a higher risk of severe FI compared to men between the ages of 20 and 39 (OR = 1.3; 95%CI:1.3–1.4) and the ages of 40 and 59 (OR = 1.1; 95%CI:1.08–1.13). This risk decreased after the age of 80 (OR = 0.96; 95%CI:0.93–0.99). The rate of diagnosis of FI also increased where there were greater numbers of proctologists practising in the region of residence in question (OR of 1.07 to 1.35 depending on the number of proctologists). Conclusion Young women who have given birth and elderly men are at risk of FI and must be targeted by public health information campaigns. The development of coloproctology networks should be encouraged.