Factors associated with fecal urgency vary among individuals with diarrhea, a recent study found. The analysis included 4,676 individuals who completed a Bowel Health Questionnaire from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 through 2010. Researchers found:

• The prevalence of fecal urgency was 3.3%; 29.5% of individuals with fecal urgency had diarrhea.
• The prevalence of fecal urgency was significantly higher in individuals who had diarrhea (14.8%) vs those without diarrhea (3.1%).
• Older age, female sex, poverty, urinary urge incontinence, diarrhea, and increased stool frequency were all associated with fecal urgency on multivariable analysis.
• Decreased fiber intake and increased carbohydrate intake were associated with urgency among those with diarrhea.