Abstract
Faecal incontinence (FI) is a common problem, affecting about 9% of Western populations. However, only a few patients seek consultation and the number of such patients reaching hospital care is unknown. Current treatment pathways are poorly evidence based and are thought to vary greatly between different countries. This audit will study the incidence of patients presenting to coloproctologists with FI, current practice including diagnostics, conservative and surgical techniques across different units in Europe and worldwide. The aim is to explore the incidence of FI in patients attending colorectal surgical clinics, treatment choices and accessibility to diagnostic tools/advanced treatments across the international cohort. Outcomes to be measured include the volume of FI patients consulting clinical practice per surgeon, patient demographics, and diagnostics and intervention details. An international multicentre snapshot audit will be performed. During the study period all consecutive eligible patients will be included over an 8-week period between 9 January and 28 February. Data will be entered and saved in a Research Electronic Data Capture secured database. Moreover, two short physician and centre-level surveys will be filled for current practice evaluation. The results will be published in international journals and will be prepared in accordance with guidelines set by the STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) statement for observational studies. This multicentre, global prospective audit will be delivered by consultant colorectal and general surgeons as well as trainees. The data obtained will lead to a better understanding of the incidence of FI and treatment and diagnostic possibilities. This snapshot audit will be hypothesis generating and inform areas that need future prospective study.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.