Validation of a Novel Fecal Incontinence Scale: The Rapid Assessment Fecal Incontinence Score (RAFIS).

OBJECTIVE: The development and validation of a new version of the fecal incontinence (FI) scale "Rapid Assessment Fecal Incontinence Score" (RAFIS) incorporating domains for severity, type of stool loss, and global perception of the effect of incontinence on quality of life (QoL). BACKGROUND: FI negatively impacts on QoL. Currently used incontinence questionnaires have outstanding limitations on the global assessment of the impact of the disease on QoL that patients perceive. We developed a new version of RAFIS with a more complete questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3-phase study was performed to evaluate the applicability and reliability of our questionnaire as a tool for assessing FI. Our score was completed by 98 patients (78 women; mean age: 57±13 y) who presented with FI and who were referred from 4 colorectal surgery centers. The RAFIS was assessed for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and sensitivity to change. A multivariate analysis was performed. Comparisons were made with the Wexner Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale. RESULTS: The RAFIS showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, differentiating the severity of incontinence but not the etiology. There was a moderate-high correlation between the new scale and the reference scales. Sensitivity to change, compared with the Wexner Score, was moderate. Comparison with established QoL instruments showed a moderate negative correlation. Logistic regression of the RAFIS discriminated between mild and moderate-severe impact on QoL. No correlation was detected with the new score to the presence of an anal sphincter defect or sphincter hypotonia. CONCLUSION: The RAFIS scale is easy to administer and compares well with other validated incontinence instruments.

Inicios de la enfermería militar en la aviación militar española / Início do enfemería militar na aviação militar espanhola / Beginning of military nursing in the Spanish military aviation

Se ha recordado en 2011 el centenario de la aviación militar española, al considerarse 1911 como el año que marca su inicio. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido presentar a los primeros profesionales de enfermería militares que desempeñaron su cometido en la atención al personal de la aviación militar española. En el desarrollo del trabajo se ha tratado de conformar un relato historiográfico básico que entrelazara la evolución de la enfermería y la aviación militar en España, documentando los primeros profesionales de enfermería militares en unidades de aviación en 1928 (AU)

2011 marks the first century of the Spanish military aviation, since 1911 is considered its initial year. The objective of this study is to present the first military nursing professionals that carried out their jobs in the health care of the early Spanish Air Force. The development of this study presents a basic historiographic story, linking the evolutions of health care and the Spanish military aviation, and covering the early professionals of nursing in aviation units back in 1928 (AU)

O ano 2011marca o centenário da aviação militar espanhola, sendo considerado1911 como o ano que marcao seu início. O objetivo deste trabalho foia presentara os primeiros profissionais da enfermagem militar que fizeram da sua profissão a atenção continuada da saude do pessoal da aviação militar espanhola. O desenvolvimento do trabalho tenta fazer uma narraçao historiográfica que entrelaça a evolução da enfermageme da aviação militar em Espanha, e que documenta os primeiros profissionais da enfermagem militar nas unidades da aviação em 1928 (AU)