Prevalence and factors associated with faecal impaction in the Spanish old population.

BACKGROUND: faecal impaction (FI) is a common problem in old people living in nursing home. Its prevalence and associated factors remain unknown in the general population.

AIM: to evaluate FI prevalence in the Spanish population older than 65 years and to assess the factors associated with it.

METHODS: a telephone survey was carried out of a Spanish population older than 65 years random sample (N = 1000). FI was assessed using a previously validated questionnaire.

RESULTS: a total of 28,128 calls were made; 1,431 subjects were eligible and 1,000 subjects were enrollled, mean aged 74.6 ± 7.3 (65-97); 57.5% were women. At least 53 people reported FI within the past year (5.3% (CI 95%: 3.9-6.7%)). Only 0.03% met criteria for chronic constipation and faecal incontinence. FI-associated factors were constipation, female gender, reduced physical activity, and chronic renal failure (CRF).

CONCLUSION: FI is a prevalent problem in old Spanish population. Constipation and female gender are the main associated factors; low physical activity and CRF appear to play also a significant role. Further studies are required to confirm this association.