Clinical, manometric, and EMG characteristics of patients with fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence occurs frequently in both men and women. Yet, few studies on fecal incontinence have separated the evaluation and interpretation of data by gender. This study was designed to identify differences in the clinical, anorectal manometry, and electromyography (EMG) characteristics betw...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Techniques in coloproctology 2001-04, Vol.5 (1), p.13-18
Main Authors: Ferrara, A, Lujan, J H, Cebrian, J, Larach, S W, Williamson, P R, Arroyo, M, Mills, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anal Canal - physiopathology
Electromyography
Fecal Incontinence - physiopathology
Female
Humans
Male
Manometry
Middle Aged
Rectum - physiopathology
Sex Factors
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Fecal incontinence occurs frequently in both men and women. Yet, few studies on fecal incontinence have separated the evaluation and interpretation of data by gender. This study was designed to identify differences in the clinical, anorectal manometry, and electromyography (EMG) characteristics between male and female patients with fecal incontinence. We compared 53 incontinent males (mean age, 64 years) with 72 incontinent females (mean age, 61 years). Each patient underwent computerized anorectal manometry, and invasive (pudendal nerve conduction studies and concentric needle EMG) and noninvasive EMG (anal sensor surface electrode). An anal incontinence score (AIS) ranging from 0 to 6 was used to categorize patients. Male patients had higher incontinence scores at presentation (AIS greater than 4, 70% vs. 54%). Female patients had significantly lower resting pressure (40 vs. 53 mmHg, p < 0.05) and more women had sphincter asymmetry (36% vs. 25%, p < 0.05). Both groups had similar PNTMLs (2.41 vs. 2.47 ms). Difference was seen in the net strength of the sphincter (women 4.0 microV vs. men 8.0 microV, p < 0.05), as measured by noninvasive EMG. In conclusion, it is well known that there are differences in anorectal physiologic function between male and female patients with normal continence. Comparing male and female patients with fecal incontinence suggests that female patients tend to have worse sphincter function that men. Both groups had similar EMG alterations, suggesting a common neurogenic injury as etiology. Future studies are needed to address the sexes separately.
ISSN:1123-6337
DOI:10.1007/PL00012120