New objective scoring system to clinically assess fecal incontinence

Table 9 Difference in mean ranking six types of fecal incontinence as per severity perceived by patients, laypersons and surgeons

Type of FI	Ranking mean ± SD			Significance
	Patients (n = 50)	Laypersons (n = 50)	Surgeons (n = 33)	(ANOVA)
Solid	4.51 ± 1.50	4.80 ± 1.50	6.00 ± 0.00	P < 0.00001
Liquid	4.73 ± 1.25	4.64 ± 1.35	5.00 ± 0.00	P = 0.35
Urge	3.65 ± 1.52	3.70 ± 1.44	1.69 ± 1.07	P < 0.00001
Flatus	2.87 ± 1.50	2.72 ± 1.45	2.57 ± 1.06	P = 0.88
Mucous	2.57 ± 1.38	2.70 ± 1.44	2.81 ± 0.91	P = 0.90
Stress	2.53 ± 1.53	2.46 ± 1.38	2.90 ± 1.07	P = 0.29

The persons in each group (patients, laypersons, and surgeons) were asked to rank the six fecal incontinence (FI) in decreasing order of severity. The most severe was given 6, and the least severe FI was given 1 point. The average of each FI type in each group was calculated and compared.