What is the Wexner score used to measure?

• A. Urinary incontinence severity scale.
• B. Bowel transit time measure.
• C. Severity of fecal incontinence, including frequency and type of leakage and lifestyle impact.
• D. Abdominal pressure measurement test.

Answer: (C)

Measuring how severe fecal incontinence is. The Wexner score is a patient-reported tool used in colorectal care to quantify the overall burden of fecal incontinence by counting how often leakage occurs and what leaks (gas, liquid stool, solid stool), whether protection such as pads is needed, and how much the incontinence disrupts daily activities. Each domain is scored, and the total (usually 0–20) reflects the level of severity, with higher scores indicating worse incontinence. This standardizes assessment and helps compare patients or track response to treatment. It’s specific to fecal, not urinary, incontinence, and it doesn’t measure bowel transit time or abdominal pressure.