Cost of Bowel Incontinence

[JDinVirginia]

I hope I am not duplicating an old topic, but I just found a 2012 medical study that concluded that the annual cost of bowel incontinence (in 2010) was $4110!

That seems a little high. As I am only bowel incontinent (most of the time), my annual costs are - $1,752 for just diapers and a total of $2,196 when other costs are added in - perhaps another $200 for diaper rash cream, $160 for baby powder, and three PUL plastic pants at $28 each Of course I also have annual costs for replacement enema equipments, Castile soap, absorbent pads, and lubricants or about $610 for a total annual cost of about $2,806.

I was getting by on only two diapers per day when bowel incontinent only, but began to have too much irritation and so upped the daily number to three. That seems to work better.

I realize that many in the group have more serious medical circumstances, so the above estimate would be too low for you, but what are your estimates?

--John

[Wetters]

Did the study indicate that the stats are an average of National or global numbers?

Wetters

[JDinVirginia]

Wetters, the paper originally was published in Dis Colon Rectum and the figures are from the U.S. based on a sample of only 332 adult patients. The paper notes that few data are available on the economic impact of bowel incontinence in the U.S. What I read is only an abstract as I do not have an account with PubMed.

--John

[wheels5894]

Maybe the paper takes into account other things apart from the actual cost of dealing with the ... er ... 'output'. For example, bowel incontinence might mean it was harder to get and keep a job or that a person works less hours. In some cases, people might just stay at home out of fear of the embarrassment factor.

Finally, although bowel incontinence can affect anyone, including the otherwise perfectly fit people, it is more likely in people who have other conditions already, spinal injury, MS, spina bifida etc. the study may take into account the extra cost of carers to assist such people.

[johnstone]

I am both bladder, and bowel incon and the of $4,110, for bowel incon does seem very high to me too. If that cost included doc visits just about any figure is possible, but the cost of $4,110, for different products associated with being bowel incon is too high in my opinion.

Just my thoughts.

[JDinVirginia]

Wheels, good point about the added cost of carers, but I would expect that to raise the cost well above the $4110! Same with the cost of time lost from work in a traditional job. It would not take many absences over the course of a year to raise the cost. Remember, the basic cost of diapers, etc, is also included.

--John

[poptart1234]

has anyone ever heard of paraflush for $259.00? Seems to naturally stimulate a bowel movement so you can stay accident free. There is an instructional video too. Maybe it can help eliminate some of the struggles with incont.

[JDinVirginia]

Paraflush essentially is a modified enema for those with little manual dexterity. It uses an external gallon container filled with warm water and which is manually pressurized by the user. It is administered via a standard enema tip while the user is sitting on the toilet.

The Peristeen system seems more efficient and more effective, although more expensive.

I believe that at least one person in our group is using the Peristeen system.

--John