Psychological and cognitive variables affecting treatment outcomes for urinary and fecal incontinence

An estimated 15% to 30% of adults over the age of 60 years have urinary incontinence, which is often reported as severe. Although psychological symptoms, especially anxiety and depression, are often associated with urinary incontinence, it seems likely that psychological distress is not a cause but a consequence of suffering from the condition. Cognitive deficits that directly interfere with the neurologic function of the bladder and/or diminish the ability to communicate appear to be important contributors to urinary incontinence. The incidence of fecal incontinence is high in children up to the age of 9 years and ranges from 7% to nearly 10% in adults over the age of 65 years. Although it has been suggested that psychological symptoms can cause fecal incontinence, data are lacking to support a causative association. Psychological disorders and incontinence of urine and feces appear to be common comorbidities. Studies are needed to determine whether the incidence of psychological symptoms in persons with incontinence is comparable for those who seek treatment and those who do not and to compare psychometric and quality-of-life measures before and after treatment to help determine the role of psychological symptoms in persons with fecal and urinary incontinence.