Fecal Incontinence: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of fecal incontinence.

Family history

  • What is the general health of your family members?
  • Are there any diseases in your family that are common?
  • Are there any hereditary diseases in your family?

Social history

  • What is your profession?

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

Revised Faecal Incontinence Scale (RFIS) (mod. according to).

  • How long have you suffered from fecal incontinence, i.e., involuntary discharge of liquid or solid stool?
  • Since when do you suffer from anal incontinence ie involuntary discharge of gas with or without stool?
  • Do you lose stool, have incontinence incidents or lose solid stool?
    • Never
    • Rarely (< 1/last 4 weeks)
    • Sometimes (< 1/last week, ≥ 1/last 4 weeks).
    • Often (< 1/day, ≥ 1/week 3
    • Always (≥ 1/day, with every bowel movement)
  • Do you lose stool, have incontinence incidents, or lose liquid stool?
    • Never
    • Rarely (< 1/last 4 weeks)
    • Sometimes (< 1/last week, ≥ 1/last 4 weeks).
    • Often (< 1/day, ≥ 1/week
    • Always (≥ 1/day, with every bowel movement)
  • Do you leak stool when you can’t find a toilet in time?
    • Never
    • Rarely (< 1/last 4 weeks)
    • Sometimes (< 1/last week, ≥ 1/last 4 weeks).
    • Often (< 1/day, ≥ 1/week
    • Always (≥ 1/day, with every bowel movement)
  • Do you leak stool so that you need to change your underwear?
    • Never
    • Rarely (< 1/last 4 weeks)
    • Sometimes (< 1/last week, ≥ 1/last 4 weeks).
    • Often (< 1/day, ≥ 1/week
    • Always (≥ 1/day, with every bowel movement)
  • Does involuntary bowel movement bother your life circumstances (lifestyle)?
    • Never
    • Rarely (< 1/last 4 weeks)
    • Sometimes (< 1/last week, ≥ 1/last 4 weeks).
    • Often (< 1/day, ≥ 1/week
    • Always (≥ 1/day, with every bowel movement)

Vegetative history including nutritional history.

  • How often do you have a bowel movement during the day?
  • What is the nature of the stool?
  • Do you have problems urinating?
  • Attachment of a stool or food diary.

Self anamnesis incl. medication anamnesis

  • Pre-existing conditions (chronic diseases; inflammatory bowel disease; food intolerances (eg, lactose / lactose, fructose / fructose, sorbitol intolerance); nervous disorders)).
  • Operations (operations in the pelvic area, intestine, anus).
  • Radiotherapy in the pelvic area
  • Allergies
  • Pregnancies – especially type and circumstance of births due to trauma (eg perineal tear).

Medication history