Official journal of the American College of Gastroenterology | ACG
REVIEW: CLINICAL AND SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
1 Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
2 University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
Correspondence: Brijen J. Shah, MD, Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1069, New York, New York 10029, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
Received 5 August 2011; accepted 8 July 2012
published online 11 September 2012
Abstract
Fecal incontinence (FI) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) complaint in patients aged 65 years and older. This evidence-based review article discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of FI in the geriatric population. We emphasize aging-related changes leading to and impacting evaluation and treatment of this symptom while incorporating the core geriatric principles of functional status and management aligned with patient preference and goals of care.