Diagnostic tools for fecal incontinence: Scoring systems are the crucial first step

Table 1 Comparison of different fecal severity scoring systems

Scoring system	Structure	Weighted	Score range
Pescatori Incontinence Score	3 items of type, 3 items of frequency	Yes	0: Full continence; 6: Daily incontinence of solid stool
Wexner/Cleveland Clinic Florida Incontinence Score	3 items of type, 2 additional items, 5 items of frequency	No	0: Full continence; 20: Complete incontinence
St. Mark’s/Vaizey Incontinence Score	3 items of type, 3 additional items, 5 items of frequency	Yes	0: Perfect continence; 24: Complete incontinence
Fecal Incontinence Severity Score	4 items of type, 6 types of frequency	Yes	Patient range: 0: least severe; 61: most severe. Surgeon range: 0: Least severe; 59: Most severe
Rapid Assessment Fecal Incontinence Score	6 items for perception, 6 items for frequency	No	Leaks: 0: For none; 10: for daily. Perception: 0: For excellent, 10: For very bad
Garg’s New Severity Scale	6 items for type, 3 items for frequency	Yes	0: No incontinence; 80: Total incontinence