Prevalence of Defecation Disorders and their Symptoms is Comparable in Children and Young Adults:Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: We aimed to compare the prevalence rates and associated symptoms of constipation and fecal incontinence in children and young adults and evaluate how these patient groups cope with these disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in which 212 children (8-17 years) and 149 young adults (18-29 years) from the general Dutch population completed a questionnaire about defecation disorders. Results: Constipation occurred in 15.6% of children and 22.8% of young adults (p=0.55), while the prevalence of fecal incontinence was comparable between groups (7%, p=0.91). The symptoms associated with constipation occurred as often in children as in young adults, while most fecal incontinence symptoms occurred more often in young adults. Approximately 43% of children had constipation for more than 5 years, while 26% of young adults experienced constipation since childhood. Only 27% of constipated children and 21% of constipated young adults received treatment (mostly laxatives). For fecal incontinence, 13% of children and 36% of young adults received treatment (mostly antidiarrheal medications or incontinence pads). Conclusion: In contrast to the general belief, the prevalence of defecation disorders and associated symptoms seem to be comparable in children and young adults. Only a few people with defecation disorders receive adequate treatment

The puborectal continence reflex functions independently of the pudendal nerve

Aim The ability of patients with poor pudendal nerve function to voluntarily contract their external anal sphincter is limited. However, it is not known whether the condition of the pudendal nerve influences voluntary puborectal muscle contraction. Recently, we described the puborectal continence reflex that maintains faecal continence by involuntary contractions of the puborectal muscle. We aim to investigate whether both voluntary and involuntary contractions of the puborectal muscle are influenced by the condition of the pudendal nerve. Method We retrospectively analysed 129 adult patients who underwent anorectal function tests at the Anorectal Physiology Laboratory. Anal electrosensitivity was used as a measurement of the pudendal nerve function. Voluntary and involuntary contractions of the puborectal muscle were defined as maximum puborectal muscle contractility and maximum pressure at the level of the puborectal muscle during the balloon retention test. Results Voluntary contraction of the puborectal muscle was significantly decreased in patients with pudendal nerve damage (P = 0.002). Involuntary contractions, however, were not associated with the condition of the pudendal nerve (P = 0.63). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the condition of the pudendal nerve and patients' sex significantly predicted voluntary contraction but not involuntary contraction. Conclusion Voluntary contractions of the puborectal muscle are significantly decreased in patients with pudendal nerve damage, while involuntary contractions of the puborectal muscle are comparable to those of patients without nerve damage. We conclude that the puborectal continence reflex, which controls involuntary contractions of the puborectal muscle, is not regulated by the pudendal nerve

Fecal continence outcomes are associated with the type, height, and stage procedure of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Purpose This study aims to analyze the quality of life in patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) and to investigate the association between height and type of the anastomosis, the number of stage procedures and age, and the fecal continence outcomes. Methods This is a cross-sectional retrospective study in patients who had undergone IPAA between 1992 and 2016 (N = 133). We sent questionnaires to 102 eligible patients (64% response rate). We used the Wexner score to assess fecal incontinence: 0 = no incontinence to 20 = complete incontinence. We used RAND-36 to measure quality of life. Results Patients who underwent mucosectomy with hand-sewn anastomoses (n = 11, 17%) had significantly higher median Wexner scores than patients with stapled anastomoses (10 versus 3, P = 0.003). Lower anastomoses correlated significantly with increasing Wexner scores (r = - 0.468, P <0.001). Quality of life of incontinent patients was diminished. Patients who were older at the time of IPAA surgery had higher Wexner scores (P = 0.004), while the time between surgery and questionnaire did not influence their Wexner scores (P = 0.810). Considering the stage procedures, multiple linear regression showed that the two-stage procedure without diverting ileostomy was significantly associated with higher Wexner scores (B = 0.815, P = 0.02), adjusted for sex (P = 0.008) and anastomosis type (P = 0.002). The three-stage procedure showed equally low complications and anastomotic leakage rates. Conclusion Mucosectomy with more distal, hand-sewn anastomosis and increasing age at IPAA surgery was associated with poorer fecal continence outcomes. The three-stage procedure appears to give the best fecal continence results without increasing complications. Furthermore, incontinence reduced patient's quality of life

Persistence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pig herds over a two year period

Aim of this study was to determine if a known MRSA contamination within a pig herd could persist for a period of two years. Material and Methods: 16 pig herds with a known MRSA contamination were asked to participate in this study. Per herd, five dust swabs (Sodibox®) were collected every two months for a period of two years. Samples were tested for presence of MRSA by culture and two PCR’s for confirmation of MRSA. Isolates were typed by spa- en MLVA-typing

The puborectal continence reflex:A new regulatory mechanism controlling fecal continence

Fecal continence is maintained by voluntary and involuntary contraction of the anal sphincter, and voluntary contractions of puborectal muscle. We investigated whether the puborectal muscle can control fecal continence not only by voluntary contractions but also by involuntary contractions. We performed anorectal function tests in 23 healthy subjects. The anorectal pressure test was used to investigate voluntary contractions of the puborectal muscle. The balloon retention test was used to assess if the puborectal muscle can contract involuntarily. During the balloon retention test, we observed an involuntary contraction of the puborectal muscle, which gradually increased during progressive filling of the rectum. The maximal involuntary contraction of the puborectal muscle was significantly stronger and longer than its maximal voluntary contraction (150 versus 70 mmHg, P <0.001 and 5.8 versus 1.5 min, P <0.001). We found that the puborectal muscle is able to contract involuntarily during rectal dilatation. It is a new regulatory mechanism, called the puborectal continence reflex, which controls fecal continence by involuntary contraction of the puborectal muscle. It seems to be initiated by dilatation at the level of the puborectal muscle. Presumably, the puborectal continence reflex protects many patients with anal sphincter dysfunctions from fecal incontinence

The problem of defecation disorders in children is underestimated and easily goes unrecognized:A cross-sectional study

We aimed to study constipation and fecal incontinence in terms of prevalence, recognizing the disorders, help-seeking behavior, and associated symptoms. In this cross-sectional study, 240 children (8 to 18 years) from the general Dutch population completed a questionnaire about defecation disorders. After exclusions for anorectal/pelvic surgery or comorbidities, we analyzed 212 children. The prevalence of constipation was 15.6%; in a quarter of the cases, it co-occurred with fecal incontinence. We found 3% fecal incontinence without constipation. Even though children with a defecation disorder rated their bowel habits worse compared to children without defecation disorders (P < 0.001), 46% constipated children and 67% fecally incontinent children rated their bowel habits as good or very good. Moreover, 21 to 50% of children with a defecation disorder did not mention their symptoms to anybody. Interestingly, most constipated children had "normal" stool frequencies (64%) and consistencies (49%). Conclusion: The prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence is quite high in children. Stool frequency and consistency is normal in half the constipated children, which may complicate the recognition of constipation. Finally, a considerable number of children does not recognize their disorders as constituting a problem and does not seek help, which leads to an underestimation of these disorders. What is Known: • Constipation and fecal incontinence are common in children, but their prevalence rates may be underestimated due to a variety of reasons. • Diagnosing these disorders remains challenging owing to the variety of symptoms and co-existence with other diseases. What is New: • The prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence in children is high. • Many children do not recognize their defecation disorders as constituting a problem and do not seek help, which leads to an underestimation of the problem of these disorders

Using laxatives and/or enemas to accelerate the diagnosis in children presenting with acute abdominal pain:a randomised controlled trial study protocol

Introduction: Many children with acute abdominal pain and suspicion of appendicitis are diagnosed with constipation. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to differentiate between acute constipation and acute appendicitis because of similar symptoms and lack of diagnostic criteria. Consequently, constipation is often missed despite repeated consultations at the emergency department. We hypothesise that the diagnostic process can be improved and adequate treatment accelerated by supporting faecal evacuation in children with acute abdominal pain. Methods and analysis: An unblinded randomised controlled trial including children aged between 5 years and 18 years with acute abdominal pain and suspicion of acute appendicitis. Children who do not have a definitive diagnosis after the first consultation and who need to return for a second consultation will be randomised. The intervention group will receive laxatives and enemas, while the control group will receive no medication. If, after the second consultation, still no diagnosis is established, and a third consultation is needed, then the intervention group will receive only laxatives, and the control group will again not receive medication. The primary outcome will be the differences in abdominal pain scores obtained with FACES Pain Rating Scale and the visual analogue scale at first, second and possibly third consultation. The secondary outcome will be the number of consultations needed to reach final diagnosis. Ethics and dissemination: Laxatives and enemas have proven to be safe and effective treatments for constipation in children. Adverse events are therefore not expected, however, should they occur, then the child concerned shall be properly followed and treated until the event is over. The local Medical Research Ethics Committee approved of this study and waived the otherwise mandatory insurance for human test subjects. Trial registration numbers: Pre-results: CCMO NL44710.042.12 andEudraCT 2013-000498-56