Role of the general practitioner in detecting urinary and bowel symptoms: Prevalence and rate of spontaneous reporting

Bowel and urinary disorders are common findings in the general population and are more prevalent in women than in men. However, due to embarrassment or shame they are rarely spontaneously reported during a medical consultation. The role of the general practitioner in detecting these problems is of paramount importance. Aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of bowel and urinary disorders in Italian women consulting their general practitioner for any medical problem and to establish the rate of spontaneous reporting of these symptoms to the general practitioner. A total of 101 women were investigated, of whom 29.7% were found to be constipated, and 4.5% had anal incontinence. Urinary symptoms were present in 53.5% of this population. Only 18.5% of the women with urinary symptoms volunteered this information to the general practitioner whilst none of the women with bowel symptoms disclosed the fact. Bowel and urinary symptoms must be routinely investigated by the general practitioner.