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Wexner continence grading scale

Severity of fecal incontinence based on symptom frequency.

Wexner continence grading scale
Incontinence to solid stool
Incontinence to liquid stool
Incontinence to gas
Wears a pad because of incontinence
Lifestyle alteration because of incontinence
Result0 points

Score of 0/20 indicates perfect continence.

When to use

  • Quantifying fecal incontinence severity and tracking response to medical or surgical treatment.

Formula

Sum of five items (incontinence to solid stool, liquid stool, gas, pad use, and lifestyle alteration), each scored 0 (never) to 4 (always ≥1/day). Range 0 (perfect continence) to 20 (complete incontinence).

Pearls and pitfalls

  • The most widely used instrument for grading fecal incontinence severity and for comparing outcomes before and after surgical therapy.

References

  1. Jorge JM, Wexner SD. Etiology and management of fecal incontinence. Dis Colon Rectum. 1993;36(1):77-97.