About bowel incontinence

• 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
• Bowel incontinence affects up to 20% of Australian men up to 12.9% of Australian women. 2
• Bladder incontinence affects up to 13% of Australian men and up to 37% of Australian women. 3
• Bowel incontinence is one of the three major causes (along with decreased mobility and dementia) for admittance to a residential aged care facility. 4
• Around 77% of nursing home residents in Australia are affected by incontinence. 5
• In 2002 the American-based International Federation for Gastrointestinal Disorders surveyed people who live with medically diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and found that 25% of respondents with IBS reported loss of bowel control. 6

About bladder incontinence

• In 1998 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that bladder control problems affect more than 200 million people worldwide. 7
• The WHO also said that bladder 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.” 8
• 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. 9

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

Australia

• Continence Foundation - About Incontinence - Facts and Stats
• My Dr: Constipation - prevalence of gut disorders

UK

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