In 2020, the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Innovation Observatory, a UK-based horizon scanning centre, conducted a priority-setting exercise to identify research gaps in the treatment and diagnosis of faecal incontinence to support evidence-based practice. The team reviewed existing systematic reviews and assessed emerging technologies (medicines, devices, surgery, diagnostics) in clinical development for faecal incontinence. They also gathered insights from patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to capture key areas of uncertainty. In 2024 we updated the map to include newly identified emerging technologies. The results are summarised in an evidence gap map, showing existing evidence (search date: August 11, 2020; n=114), emerging evidence (updated May 6, 2024; n=208), and stakeholder input (survey date: August 11, 2020; n=68). The map is organised using a modified framework from the 6th International Consultation on Incontinence.
Evidence Gap Map
EGM for New Technologies in Faecal Incontinence
Journal Articles
- O’Connor N, Thomson KH, Gill S, Jackson S, Wallace SA, Pearson F. A rapid priority setting exercise combining existing, emergent evidence with stakeholder knowledge identified broad topic uncertainties. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 2023, 154, P178-187.
- Thomson KH, O’Connor N, Dangova KT, Gill S, Jackson S, Bliss DZ, Wallace SA, Pearson F. Rapid priority setting exercise on faecal incontinence for Cochrane Incontinence. BMJ Open Gastroenterology 2022, 9, e000847.
- Thomson KH, Dangova K, Bliss DZ, Wallace S, O’Connor N, Richter HE, Pearson F. Future developments and new technologies in the field of faecal incontinence: scanning the horizon using late-stage clinical trial registrations. BMJ Innovations 2022, 8(4), 278-284.
