ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Fecal incontinence quality-of-life scale (FIQLS) is a condition-specific health-related quality-of-life questionnaire composed of four scales: lifestyle, coping/behaviour, depression/self-perception and embarrassment. It has been widely translated and used as an evaluation tool for patients with fecal incontinence. Our aim was to translate the FIQLS, and to test some of the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The FIQLS was translated to Norwegian, and administered to a sample of 76 patients (73 women) who completed the questionnaire at baseline and again after three weeks. In addition, the severity of incontinence was assessed by phone-interviews (St. Mark's score). RESULTS: Three of four domains had good internal consistency in terms of Cronbach's alpha (.83-.91), the fourth (embarrassment) somewhat lower (.64). Stability over time was acceptable for all domains with ICC ranging from .74 to .86. Correlation with severity of incontinence (St. Mark's score) was medium to large for all four domains (-.46 to -.63) supporting the construct validity of the Norwegian FIQLS. CONCLUSION: The Norwegian version of fecal incontinence quality-of-life scale has been successfully translated and tested.
Subject(s)
Fecal Incontinence/physiopathology , Fecal Incontinence/psychology , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires , Fecal Incontinence/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Norway , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Severity of Illness Index , TranslationsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long term incontinence and quality of life (Qol) results after elective anterior sphincteroplasty for anal incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Short and long term follow-up included respectively 28 and 25 of the 29 patients who were operated between 1989 and 1998 in our institution. Qol was assessed with gastro intestinal quality of life index (GIQLI). Incontinence was graded according to Parks score supplied with St Mark's score at long term follow-up. RESULTS: 21 (73%) patients had a history of obstetric sphincter tears. Mean age at operation was 45 years (range 6-77). Median time from operation to short term follow-up was 26 months (mean 38 months, range 2-113) and 84 months (mean 105, range 74-185) to long term follow-up. At short term follow-up 19 of 28 patients (68%) were continent for stool compared with nine of 25 patients (36%) at long term follow-up. Nine of 17 (53%) who were continent for stool at short term follow-up remained continent for stool at long term follow-up. Patients with a history of obstetric sphincter tear had less severe incontinence at long term follow-up compared to women with other causes of incontinence (St. Mark's score 8 and 16 respectively, p = 0,015). Patients with no incontinence or gas incontinence only, had higher quality of life score at both follow-ups than those who where incontinent for stool (p = 0,007 and p= 0,014 respectively). CONCLUSION: More than half of the patients remained continent for stool at long term follow-up. Continence for stool was associated with high Qol score.
