Bilal Chughtai1, Dominique Thomas1, David Russell2, Veerawat Phongtankuel3, Kathryn Bowles2,4, Holly Prigerson3,5. 1. 1 Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York- Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA. 2. 2 Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), New York, NY, USA. 3. 3 Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA. 4. 4 The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 5. 5 Center for Research on End of Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: : We sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with fecal incontinence (FI) in the home hospice setting. METHODS: : We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients served by a hospice agency. Data on patient characteristics were extracted from hospice medical records. The primary outcome, FI, was assessed routinely during clinical visits to the patient's home. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was estimated for FI to examine associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients. RESULTS: : A total of 15 432 patients were eligible. Patients were female (59.0%) and 75 years or older (23.5% were 75-84; 39.9% were 85+). Most patients with FI indicated incontinence at the time of hospice admission (64.5%; n = 4314), with the average onset period being approximately 18 days from admission (mean = 17.9, standard deviation = 50.6). Increasing age represented a risk factor for FI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.01 [confidence interval, CI = 1.01-1.01]). The absence of a health-care proxy was associated with an increased risk of FI (HR = 1.11 [CI = 1.04-1.19]). Greater risk of FI was observed among patients with dementia (HR = 1.34 [1.24-1.46]) and stroke (HR = 1.42 [1.26-1.60]) compared to patients with cancer. Patients referred to hospice from settings other than the hospital also had a greater risk of FI compared to those referred from the hospital (HR = 1.17 [1.11-1.23]). CONCLUSION: : Fecal incontinence is a highly prevalent condition among home hospice patients and most patients indicated FI upon admission (median time to detection = 18 days). Further studies are needed to identify modifiable risk factors for FI detection and its symptom management in this patient population.
INTRODUCTION: : We sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with fecal incontinence (FI) in the home hospice setting. METHODS: : We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients served by a hospice agency. Data on patient characteristics were extracted from hospice medical records. The primary outcome, FI, was assessed routinely during clinical visits to the patient's home. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was estimated for FI to examine associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients. RESULTS: : A total of 15 432 patients were eligible. Patients were female (59.0%) and 75 years or older (23.5% were 75-84; 39.9% were 85+). Most patients with FI indicated incontinence at the time of hospice admission (64.5%; n = 4314), with the average onset period being approximately 18 days from admission (mean = 17.9, standard deviation = 50.6). Increasing age represented a risk factor for FI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.01 [confidence interval, CI = 1.01-1.01]). The absence of a health-care proxy was associated with an increased risk of FI (HR = 1.11 [CI = 1.04-1.19]). Greater risk of FI was observed among patients with dementia (HR = 1.34 [1.24-1.46]) and stroke (HR = 1.42 [1.26-1.60]) compared to patients with cancer. Patients referred to hospice from settings other than the hospital also had a greater risk of FI compared to those referred from the hospital (HR = 1.17 [1.11-1.23]). CONCLUSION: : Fecal incontinence is a highly prevalent condition among home hospice patients and most patients indicated FI upon admission (median time to detection = 18 days). Further studies are needed to identify modifiable risk factors for FI detection and its symptom management in this patient population.
Entities:
Keywords:
end of life; fecal incontinence; home hospice; incontinence; palliative care; quality of life