• Studies suggest that in the UK "major faecal incontinence" affects 1.4% of the general population over 40 years old and constipation affects between 3% and 15% of the population.1
  
  
• In 2001 an English study about prevalence of faecal incontinence in adults over 40 years old said in its summary:
  
  "From a total sample of 10 116 respondents, 1.4% reported major faecal incontinence and 0.7% major faecal incontinence with bowel symptoms that had an impact on quality of life. Major faecal incontinence was significantly associated with a lot of impact on quality of life." 2
  
  

• In the UK, 24% of older people are affected by urinary incontinence. Of those older people in institutional care, 30-60% are affected by urinary incontinence, and 25% by bowel incontinence.3
  


• In 2002 the American-based International Federation for Gastrointestinal Disorders surveyed people who live with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and found that 25% of respondents with IBS reported loss of bowel control.4

About bladder incontinence

• In 1998 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that bladder control problems affect more than 200m people worldwide.5
  
  
• The WHO also said that incontinence is a largely preventable and treatable condition and that it's “certainly not an inevitable consequence of ageing,” adding that “the most typical reaction exhibited by patients when they are diagnosed with poor bladder control was not fear nor disbelief, but relief.”6
  


• In 2004 an American survey (by the National Association for Continence) reported that women wait 6.5 years and men 4.2 years after beginning to experience bladder control problems before seeing a healthcare professional.7
  

More facts and figures about bowel and bladder incontinence from the UK and Australia

UK

• Bladder and bowel problems around the world. Simon Foundation conference. InContact
• Continence Foundation

Australia

• Continence Foundation of Australia. What it is? Facts and Stats

Page last updated : December 15 2006