Author overestimated need in community population with faecal incontinence

EDITOR—In his review on advances in the understanding of faecal incontinence Kamm focused on structural damage as an aetiological factor and surgical intervention as a treatment.1 A review of epidemiological evidence suggests that this focus is misplaced for several reasons. Kamm states that the prevalence of faecal incontinence is 2% in the adult population and 7% in healthy independent adults aged over 65. These figures probably relate to anal incontinence (loss of gas or mucous as well as …