Diet and Stool Metabolites in Fecal Incontinence

Fecal Incontinence (FI) is a debilitating and common condition with a prevalence ranging from 7-15% in community dwelling women. FI has an immense impact on quality of life and is associated with increased care giver burden, increased rates of institutionalization, and significant cost burden in older women. Traditionally believed to be primarily caused by child birth injury, recent studies show that the typical age of onset of FI is age 40 which is remote from child birth. Treatment options for FI are limited because the mechanism underlying FI in older women are poorly understood. The overriding goal of this project is to investigate the relationship between diet, stool metabolites and fecal incontinence.