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. 2019 Jul;29(7):562-566.
doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.05.009. Epub 2019 Jun 7.

The prevalence of faecal incontinence in myotonic dystrophy type 1

R K H Petty  1 , M P Eugenicos  2 , M J Hamilton  3 , M E Farrugia  4 , Y Robb  5 , R Ballantyne  3 , H Gregory  6 , C McWilliam  7 , C Longman  3
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The prevalence of faecal incontinence in myotonic dystrophy type 1

R K H Petty et al. Neuromuscul Disord. 2019 Jul.

Abstract

Faecal incontinence is recognised as a feature of myotonic dystrophy along with other symptoms of bowel dysfunction, but its prevalence is poorly defined. We have surveyed 152 unselected myotonic dystrophy patients. We identified issues with bowel control in 104 (68% of the study population). Forty-eight (32%) reported faecal incontinence in the 4 weeks prior to completion of the questionnaire. Fifty-six patients (37%) reported having to change their lifestyle because of incontinence issues at some point in the prior 4 weeks. This study shows a high frequency of life-changing symptoms in a large unselected, cohort of patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1, and highlights lower gastrointestinal symptoms as an important issue for further research.

Keywords: Bowel dysfunction; Faecal incontinence; Myotonic dystrophy type 1.

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