Urinary and faecal incontinence: a population-based study.

AIM: To investigate the coexistence of urine and faecal incontinence in Swedish schoolchildren.

METHODS

Cohort study of all schoolchildren in the first and fourth grades in the city of Eskilstuna. A questionnaire was used, in which parents reported the prevalence of urine and faecal incontinence for their children. with a response rate of 67%. Data were analysed with multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Daytime urinary incontinence (at least once a month) was reported in 6.3% of the first graders and 4.3% of the fourth graders, while bedwetting (at least once a month) was reported in 7.1% and 2.7% and faecal incontinence in 9.8% and 5.6%, respectively. Daytime urinary incontinence was strongly associated with faecal incontinence; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 7.2 (p < 0.001) as well as with bedwetting; OR 4.1 (p < 0.001), whereas faecal incontinence and bedwetting lacked a significant association (OR 1.2).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that soiling and daytime urinary incontinence often coexist in Swedish schoolchildren. Collaborative treatment strategies with gastroenterological and urological content need to be developed for these children.