Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing Fecal...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Fecal incontinence (FI) is a prevalent condition, particularly among aging populations.
• Obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are linked to urinary incontinence and elevated intra-abdominal pressures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential association between obstructive lung diseases (asthma, COPD) and the risk of developing fecal incontinence (FI).

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted using data from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) cohort.
• Incident FI was defined as one or more episodes per month over a four-year follow-up period (2008-2012).
• Cox proportional hazards models were employed to assess the risk of FI in relation to asthma and COPD, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

• Women with asthma showed a 1.18-fold increased risk of FI (aHR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.09-1.27) compared to those without asthma.
• Women with COPD exhibited a 1.16-fold increased risk of FI (aHR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.27) compared to those without COPD.
• The risk of FI was highest in women with asthma/COPD overlap, with a 1.28-fold increased risk (aHR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.16-1.42).

Conclusions:

• Asthma and COPD are significantly associated with an increased risk of developing fecal incontinence.
• The underlying pathophysiology linking these respiratory conditions to FI requires further investigation.