Abstract
Background
Faecal incontinence is a common symptom which causes significant distress and reduction in quality of life.
Objectives
To assess the effects of drug therapy for the treatment of faecal incontinence. In particular, to assess the effects of individual drugs relative to placebo or other drugs, and to compare drug therapy with other treatment modalities.
Search methods
We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Register of Trials (searched 4 July 2007) and the reference lists of relevant articles.
Selection criteria
All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials of the use of pharmacological agents for the treatment of faecal incontinence in adults.
Data collection and analysis
Working independently, reviewers selected studies from the literature, assessed the methodological quality of each trial, and extracted data.
Main results
Thirteen trials were identified, including 473 participants. Eleven trials were of cross-over design. Nine trials included only people with faecal incontinence related to liquid stool (either chronic diarrhoea, following ileoanal pouch surgery or due to use of a weight-reducing drug). Two trials were amongst people with weak anal sphincters, one in participants with faecal impaction and bypass leakage, and one in geriatric patients.
Seven trials tested anti-diarrhoeal drugs to reduce faecal incontinence and other bowel symptoms (loperamide, diphenoxylate plus atropine and codeine). Four trials tested drugs enhancing anal sphincter function (phenylepinephrine gel and sodium valproate). Two trials evaluated osmotic laxatives (lactulose) for the treatment of faecal incontinence associated with constipation in geriatric patients. No studies comparing drugs with other treatment modalities were identified.
There was limited evidence that antidiarrhoeal drugs and drugs which enhance anal sphincter tone may reduce faecal incontinence in patients with liquid stools. Loperamide was associated with more adverse effects than placebo, such as constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, and nausea. However, the dose may be titrated to the patient's symptoms to minimise side effects while achieving continence. The drugs acting on the sphincter sometimes resulted in local dermatitis, abdominal pain or nausea. Laxative use in geriatric patients reduced faecal soiling and the need for help from nurses. However, the trials were all small and of short duration.
Authors' conclusions
The small number of trials identified for this review assessed several different drugs in a variety of patient populations. The focus of most of the included trials was on the treatment of diarrhoea, rather than faecal incontinence. There is little evidence to guide clinicians in the selection of drug therapies for faecal incontinence. Larger, well-designed controlled trials, which include clinically important outcome measures, are required.
Faecal incontinence is a common symptom which causes significant distress and reduction in quality of life.
Objectives
To assess the effects of drug therapy for the treatment of faecal incontinence. In particular, to assess the effects of individual drugs relative to placebo or other drugs, and to compare drug therapy with other treatment modalities.
Search methods
We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Register of Trials (searched 4 July 2007) and the reference lists of relevant articles.
Selection criteria
All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials of the use of pharmacological agents for the treatment of faecal incontinence in adults.
Data collection and analysis
Working independently, reviewers selected studies from the literature, assessed the methodological quality of each trial, and extracted data.
Main results
Thirteen trials were identified, including 473 participants. Eleven trials were of cross-over design. Nine trials included only people with faecal incontinence related to liquid stool (either chronic diarrhoea, following ileoanal pouch surgery or due to use of a weight-reducing drug). Two trials were amongst people with weak anal sphincters, one in participants with faecal impaction and bypass leakage, and one in geriatric patients.
Seven trials tested anti-diarrhoeal drugs to reduce faecal incontinence and other bowel symptoms (loperamide, diphenoxylate plus atropine and codeine). Four trials tested drugs enhancing anal sphincter function (phenylepinephrine gel and sodium valproate). Two trials evaluated osmotic laxatives (lactulose) for the treatment of faecal incontinence associated with constipation in geriatric patients. No studies comparing drugs with other treatment modalities were identified.
There was limited evidence that antidiarrhoeal drugs and drugs which enhance anal sphincter tone may reduce faecal incontinence in patients with liquid stools. Loperamide was associated with more adverse effects than placebo, such as constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, and nausea. However, the dose may be titrated to the patient's symptoms to minimise side effects while achieving continence. The drugs acting on the sphincter sometimes resulted in local dermatitis, abdominal pain or nausea. Laxative use in geriatric patients reduced faecal soiling and the need for help from nurses. However, the trials were all small and of short duration.
Authors' conclusions
The small number of trials identified for this review assessed several different drugs in a variety of patient populations. The focus of most of the included trials was on the treatment of diarrhoea, rather than faecal incontinence. There is little evidence to guide clinicians in the selection of drug therapies for faecal incontinence. Larger, well-designed controlled trials, which include clinically important outcome measures, are required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | CD002116 |
| Number of pages | 41 |
| Journal | Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Jul 2002 |
