Work

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Structural Validation of the Arabic Fecal Incontinence Score in Egyptian Colorectal Disease Patients

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Fecal incontinence (FI) is an underrecognized complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal neoplasia that substantially impairs quality of life. This study translated, culturally adapted, and validated the Arabic Vaizey Incontinence Score while evaluating the burden of FI among Egyptian patients. Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, 287 adults with histopathologically confirmed diagnoses were enrolled, including colorectal cancer/precancerous lesions (n = 54), IBD (n = 55), and other/no significant colorectal pathology (n = 178). The questionnaire underwent standardized translation and cultural adaptation. Internal consistency was assessed using McDonald’s omega. Structural validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 143) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 144). Results: Patients with IBD had the greatest fecal incontinence burden, with the highest mean Vaizey score (9.24 ± 6.77) compared with patients with colorectal neoplasia (7.28 ± 6.03) and those with other or no significant colorectal pathology (6.68 ± 4.79). Continence-related quality of life was also poorest in IBD (median 8.0 [IQR 4–10] vs. 2.0 [IQR 1–3] and 2.5 [IQR 1–6]). EFA supported a two-factor solution explaining 48.1% of the variance (KMO = 0.691; Bartlett’s χ2 = 298.61, p < 0.001). The inability-to-defer-defecation item showed negligible loading and was excluded. CFA confirmed a refined six-item model with excellent fit (CFI = 0.992, TLI = 0.985, RMSEA = 0.088, SRMR = 0.087). McDonald’s omega was 0.825 for Leakage Severity and Management and 0.869 for Functional Impact, with average variance exceeding 0.50 for both domains. Conclusions: The refined six-item Arabic Vaizey Incontinence Score demonstrated good reliability and construct validity. FI score was significantly higher among patients with IBD, supporting routine assessment using this validated instrument across Egyptian patients with colorectal diseases.

Source: Gastrointestinal Disorders

DOI: 10.3390/gidisord8030051