A Literature Review of Defecation Care to Prevent Faecal Incontinence in Elderly Individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal tract disease characterized by abnormal defecation and abdominal pain. The Rome IV criteria define faecal incontinence as "recurrent and uncontrolled stool leakage that lasts more than 3 months." Faecal incontinence is common in patients with IBS and can have a significant negative impact on daily life and quality of life. Diet and lifestyle guidance are needed to prevent faecal incontinence. Faecal incontinence can be reduced by ingesting dietary fibre, which can improve stool properties, and avoiding foods with stool-softening properties. Additionally, defecation habit guidance is important for preventing faecal incontinence. If rectal sensation is normal, it is recommended for patients to go to the bathroom as soon as there is a desire to defecate. In elderly people, if there is stool in the rectum due to decreased rectal sensation and it continues to accumulate in the rectum without triggering the urge to defecate, overflowing leaky faecal incontinence may occur. For such patients, defecation habit training teaching them to defecate even if they do not have the desire to defecate may be effective. Education and advice on defecation reduces faecal incontinence and is beneficial to caregivers.