The Outcomes of Endoanal Ultrasound and Three-Dimensional, High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry do not Predict Fecal Incontinence

Endoanal ultrasound (EUS) is the gold standard for diagnosing anal sphincter defects often seen in patients with fecal incontinence (FI). Threedimensional, high-resolution anorectal manometry (3D-HRARM) is a newer technique that might also be used to diagnose sphincter defects. We aimed to investigate whether FI is associated with anal sphincter defects detected by EUS and 3D-HRARM. Retrospectively, we included all adult patients who had undergone EUS and 3D-HRARM for FI, between January 2012 and February 2015 (N = 37). During 3D-HRARM, the presence of sphincter defects was examined in rest and during maximal anal sphincter contraction. All patients also underwent a balloon retention test to objectively determine whether they suffered from FI for solid stool. Of the 37 patients, 12 patients (32%) suffered from FI. The presence of a sphincter defect detected with EUS, and with 3D-HRARM during contraction, was not associated with the prevalence of FI and no significant correlations were found between these variables. The presence of a sphincter defect, detected by 3D-HRARM in rest, was negatively correlated with the presence of FI (rs -.372, P = .024). Moreover, the prevalence of sphincter defects was lower in patients with FI, detected by 3D-HRARM in rest, than in patients without FI (13% versus 88%, P = .035). FI is not associated with anal sphincter defects detected by EUS and 3D-HRARM. The outcomes of EUS and 3D-HRARM do not thus predict the presence of FI. Instead, extensive anorectal function tests should be performed to form a complete picture of a patient’s anorectal functions and to determine the underlying causes of FI

Fecal incontinence and parity in the Dutch population:A cross-sectional analysis

Background: It is assumed that pregnancy and childbirth increase the risk of developing fecal incontinence (FI). Objective: We investigated the incidence of FI in groups of nulliparous and parous women. Methods: Retrospectively, we studied a cross-section of the Dutch female population (N = 680) who completed the Groningen Defecation & Fecal Continence questionnaire. We also analyzed a subgroup of healthy women (n = 572) and a subgroup of women with comorbidities (n = 108). Results: The prevalence of FI and the Vaizey and Wexner scores did not differ significantly between nulliparous and parous women. Parous women were 1.6 times more likely to experience fecal urgency than nulliparous women (95% CI, 1.0-2.6, p = 0.042). Regression analyses showed that parity, mode of delivery, duration of second stage of labor, obstetrical laceration or episiotomy, and birth weight seem not to be associated with the likelihood of FI. Conclusions: Pregnancy and childbirth seem not to be associated with the prevalence and severity of FI in the Dutch population. Vacuum and forceps deliveries, however, might result in a higher prevalence of FI. Although the duration of being able to control bowels after urge sensation is comparable between nulliparous and parous women, parous women experience fecal urgency more often

On the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence, and their co-occurrence, in the Netherlands

Purpose Numerous studies have investigated the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence (FI) in the general population and, even though these disorders are known to cooccur, they were studied independently of each other. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of constipation and FI, and their co-occurrence, in the general population in the Netherlands. Methods We studied a cross-section of the Dutch population (N = 1259). All respondents completed the Groningen Defecation & Fecal Continence checklist. We defined constipation and FI in accordance with the Rome III criteria. Results We found that 24.5% (95% CI, 22.1-26.8) suffered from constipation, 7.9% (95% CI, 6.4-9.4) suffered from FI, and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.5-4.5) suffered from both disorders. Constipated respondents were 2.7 times more likely to suffer from FI than non-constipated respondents (95% CI, 1.8-4.0). Moreover, 48.7% of the respondents with constipation, 35.0% with FI, and 38.6% in whom the disorders co-occurred qualified their bowel habits as either "good" or "very good". We found that 49.4% of the respondents with constipation and 48.0% with FI had not discussed their complaints with anyone. Conclusions Constipation and FI, isolated or co-occurring, are common disorders in the general population, even in young and healthy respondents. Since constipation and FI often co-occur, we recommend that patients who seek medical attention for either disorder should be examined for both. Moreover, constipation and/or FI are not always identified appropriately by patients. Therefore, physicians should take the initiative to diagnose and treat these disorders

New insights into the pathophysiology and evaluation of fecal incontinence

This thesis presents new insights into the underlying pathophysiology and diagnostic process of fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence is characterized by the involuntary loss of feces. It not only has a significant economic impact, but also negatively affects quality of life. We demonstrated that 7.9% of the general Dutch population suffers from fecal incontinence. It is often underdiagnosed because a considerable part of the Dutch population does not recognize it as a problem and people do not readily discuss their bowel habits with physicians. We also showed that certain comorbidities, rather than delivery history, anal sphincter injury, and increasing age, are associated with fecal incontinence. Moreover, we elucidated the different mechanisms underlying urge and complete fecal incontinence and postulated a new theory that overreaction of the anal-external sphincter continence reflex the cause is of chronic anal fissures. We developed the Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence questionnaire to improve the screening of the possible causes of bowel disorders. We also demonstrated that the use of pull-through maneuvers and water-perfused catheters during anorectal manometry give unreliable results because they artificially increase anal basal pressure. Finally, only performing endo-anal ultrasound or three-dimensional anorectal manometry is insufficient to determine the underlying cause of fecal incontinence and neither technique should be used for this purpose. The findings described in this thesis broaden the knowledge on fecal incontinence and provide a foundation for further investigation of the pathophysiology of fecal incontinence and for improvement of its assessment and treatment

Pudendal Neuropathy Alone Results in Urge Incontinence Rather Than in Complete Fecal Incontinence

BACKGROUND: Conscious external anal sphincter contraction is mediated by the pudendal nerve. Pudendal neuropathy is, therefore, believed to result in fecal incontinence. Until urge sensation is experienced, fecal continence is maintained by unconscious external anal sphincter contraction, which is regulated by the anal-external sphincter continence reflex. The innervation of unconscious contraction is yet unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether unconscious contraction is mediated by the pudendal nerve and whether age influences unconscious contraction. DESIGN: This was a retrospective comparative study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted in a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Seventy adult patients experiencing defecation problems who underwent anorectal function tests were included in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conscious and unconscious contractions were compared between patients with and without pudendal neuropathy. Conscious contraction was defined by maximum anal sphincter contractility, unconscious contraction by pressure in the anal canal at maximum tolerable or retainable sensation during the balloon retention test. RESULTS: Unconscious contraction did not differ significantly between patients with pudendal neuropathy and non-pudendal neuropathy patients, whereas conscious contraction was significantly lower in patients with pudendal neuropathy. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that unconscious contraction, in contrast to conscious contraction, was not predicted significantly by age and anal electrosensitivity at 2cm, which represents pudendal neuropathy. Patients with pudendal neuropathy were significantly older than patients with nonpudendal neuropathy. LIMITATIONS: The pudendal nerve motor latency and EMG tests were not performed. CONCLUSIONS: The pudendal nerve does not mediate unconscious external anal sphincter contraction. Pudendal neuropathy alone, therefore, results in urge incontinence rather than in complete fecal incontinence. Unconscious contraction appears not to be influenced by age. Therefore, most of the elderly patients experience urge incontinence rather than complete fecal incontinence

Dyssynergic defecation may aggravate constipation:results of mostly pediatric cases with congenital anorectal malformation

BACKGROUND: Most patients with congenital anorectal malformation suffer from mild chronic constipation. To date, it is unclear why a subgroup of patients develops a persistent form of constipation. Because dyssynergic defecation is a common cause of constipation in the general population, we hypothesized that the severe form of constipation may be caused by dyssynergic defecation. METHODS: Retrospectively, we reviewed the medical records of 29 patients with anorectal malformations who had undergone anorectal function tests because of severe constipation. The study was conducted at the University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. RESULTS: All patients had increased maximum rectal pressure and increased anal sphincter pressure during balloon expulsion and therefore suffered from dyssynergic defecation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with congenital anorectal malformations may also suffer from dyssynergic defecation. It is important, therefore, to check whether these patients have severe constipation due to dyssynergic defecation because perhaps it may be treated effectively with pelvic physiotherapy. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Increased anal basal pressure in chronic anal fissures may be caused by overreaction of the anal-external sphincter continence reflex

Chronic anal fissure is a painful disorder caused by linear ulcers in the distal anal mucosa. Even though it counts as one of the most common benign anorectal disorders, its precise etiology and pathophysiology remains unclear. Current thinking is that anal fissures are caused by anal trauma and pain, which leads to internal anal sphincter hypertonia. Increased anal basal pressure leads to diminished anodermal blood flow and local ischemia, which delays healing and leads to chronic anal fissure. The current treatment of choice for chronic anal fissure is either lateral internal sphincterotomy or botulinum toxin injections. In contrast to current thinking, we hypothesize that the external, rather than the internal, anal sphincter is responsible for increased anal basal pressure in patients suffering from chronic anal fissure. We think that damage to the anal mucosa leads to hypersensitivity of the contact receptors of the anal external sphincter continence reflex, resulting in overreaction of the reflex. Overreaction causes spasm of the external anal sphincter. This in turn leads to increased anal basal pressure, diminished anodermal blood flow, and ischemia. Ischemia, finally, prevents the anal fissure from healing. Our hypothesis is supported by two findings. The first concerned a chronic anal fissure patient with increased anal basal pressure (170 mmHg) who had undergone lateral sphincterotomy. Directly after the operation, while the submucosal anesthetic was still active, basal anal pressure decreased to 80 mmHg. Seven hours after the operation, when the anesthetic had completely worn off, basal anal pressure increased again to 125 mmHg, even though the internal anal sphincter could no longer be responsible for the increase. Second, in contrast to previous studies, recent studies demonstrated that botulinum toxin influences external anal sphincter activity and, because it is a striated muscle relaxant, it seems reasonable to presume that it affects the striated external anal sphincter, rather than the smooth internal anal sphincter. If our hypothesis is proved correct, the treatment option of lateral internal sphincterotomy should be abandoned in patients suffering from chronic anal fissures, since it fails to eliminate the cause of high anal basal pressure. Additionally, lateral internal sphincterotomy may cause damage to the anal external sphincter continence reflex, resulting in fecal incontinence. Instead, higher doses of botulinum toxin should be administered to those patients suffering from chronic anal fissure who appeared unresponsive to lower doses. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Subtypes and symptoms of fecal incontinence in the Dutch population: a cross-sectional study

To study the distribution of subtypes and symptoms of fecal incontinence in the general Dutch population. We performed a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of the general Dutch population. All respondents (N = 1259) completed the Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence questionnaire. We assigned the respondents to a so-called healthy subgroup (n = 1008) and a comorbidity subgroup (n = 251). The latter subgroup comprised the respondents who reportedly suffered from chronic diseases and who had undergone surgery known to influence fecal continence. We defined fecal incontinence according to the Rome IV criteria. The combination of urge fecal incontinence and soiling was the most frequent form of fecal incontinence in the total study group, the "healthy" subgroup, and the comorbidity subgroup (49.0, 47.3, and 51.5%). Passive fecal incontinence was the least frequent form of fecal incontinence in all three groups (4.0, 5.4, and 2.2%). The prevalence and severity of fecal incontinence was significantly higher in the comorbidity subgroup than in the "healthy" subgroup. Only in the comorbidity subgroup did the fecally incontinent respondents feel urge sensation significantly less often before defecating than their fecally continent counterparts (16.5 versus 48.8%, P <0.001). Urge fecal incontinence combined with soiling is commonest in the general Dutch population. Chronic diseases and bowel and pelvic surgery both increase and aggravate fecal incontinence