Association of dietary habits and physical activity with the severity of fecal incontinence in patients with colorectal cancer after minimally invasive surgery: An exploratory study.
Higher red meat intake may reduce fecal incontinence severity, while prolonged sedentary behavior could increase it in colorectal cancer patients post-surgery.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the lanreotide corpusSummary and findings
This study examined the associations between dietary habits and physical activity with fecal incontinence severity in colorectal cancer patients after minimally invasive surgery. A total of 136 patients participated, with a median age of 72 years. The findings suggested that higher red meat intake was associated with lower fecal incontinence severity, while prolonged sedentary time was linked to higher severity.
Abstract
<h4>Objective</h4>Fecal incontinence (FI) is a common and distressing long-term complication following minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for colorectal cancer (CRC), yet the role of modifiable lifestyle factors remains unclear. This study examined the associations between dietary habits (red meat, fiber-rich foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and alcohol), physical activity (PA) duration, and sedentary behavior with FI severity in CRC patients after MIS.<h4>Methods</h4>This exploratory cross-sectional study recruited CRC patients attending a university hospital outpatient clinic in Japan. Dietary habits and PA were assessed via self-administered questionnaires; FI severity was measured using the Wexner score. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, tumor location, chemotherapy use, laxative use, and postoperative years were fitted for each exposure.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 136 patients completed the questionnaire. Participants had a median age of 72 years and 50% were women; 131 (96.3%) reported FI (mean 1.9 ± 0.9 episodes/day). Higher red meat intake (≥ 500 g/week) was associated with lower FI severity (<i>β</i> = -1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.71 to -0.12), whereas prolonged sedentary time (≥ 8 h/day) was associated with higher FI severity (<i>β</i> = 1.36; 95% CI, 0.18 to 2.54). PA duration was not associated with FI severity.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Red meat intake and sedentary behavior were associated with FI severity. These associations should be interpreted cautiously; longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted to clarify causality.
Background
Fecal incontinence (FI) is a prevalent complication following minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer, impacting quality of life. Previous studies have indicated that lifestyle factors may influence FI severity, but specific associations remain unclear. This study aims to explore the relationship between dietary habits, physical activity, and FI severity in this patient population.
Methods
This exploratory cross-sectional study included colorectal cancer patients attending a university hospital outpatient clinic in Japan. A total of 136 patients were recruited, and dietary habits and physical activity were assessed through self-administered questionnaires. FI severity was measured using the Wexner score, with multiple linear regression models adjusting for various confounding factors.
Results
The primary finding indicated that higher red meat intake (≥ 500 g/week) was associated with lower FI severity (β = -1.42; 95% CI, -2.71 to -0.12). Conversely, prolonged sedentary behavior (≥ 8 h/day) correlated with higher FI severity (β = 1.36; 95% CI, 0.18 to 2.54). PA duration did not show a significant association with FI severity.
Interpretation
These findings suggest a potential link between dietary habits and FI severity, aligning with some previous literature that highlights the role of diet in gastrointestinal health. However, the effect sizes observed may not be clinically significant, and the cross-sectional nature of the study limits the ability to draw causal conclusions. The study's reliance on self-reported data and the small sample size may further confound the results.
Key findings
- Mean FI severity was 1.9 ± 0.9 episodes/day, n=136.
- Higher red meat intake (≥ 500 g/week) was associated with lower FI severity (β = -1.42; 95% CI, -2.71 to -0.12).
- Prolonged sedentary time (≥ 8 h/day) was associated with higher FI severity (β = 1.36; 95% CI, 0.18 to 2.54).
Limitations
- exploratory cross-sectional design limits causal inference
- self-reported dietary and activity data may introduce bias
- small sample size (n=136) may limit generalizability
- no longitudinal data to assess changes over time