The prevention and treatment of IAD in community patients

Incontinence is a widespread problem in community-dwelling adults, with prevalence estimates between 10-15 per cent for faecal incontinence and up to 46% for urinary incontinence).^1,2

This article provides an update on: the pathophysiology of incontinence-associated dermatitis; the differentiation between incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and pressure ulcers; and the prevention/treatment of IAD.

Patient example

Mrs Smith, age 74, spent several weeks in hospital after hip replacement surgery. Since admission to hospital, she became incontinent of both urine and faeces.

She experiences episodes of diarrhoea requiring frequent pad changes. Mrs Smith returned home last month, but she continues to experience both urinary and faecal incontinence and has persistent bouts of diarrhoea.