A comparison of faecal incontinence scoring systems

Occupational therapy combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of spinal cord injury with gastrointestinal dysfunction

BACKGROUND

In the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) with gastrointestinal dysfunction, the recovery of neurological function is not ideal. Occupational therapy combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is expected to complement each other, exert their respective advantages, and improve the quality of patients' rehabilitation.

AIM

To observe the therapeutic effect of occupational therapy combined with rTMS in patients with SCI accompanied by gastrointestinal dysfunction.

METHODS

A total of 150 patients with SCI and gastrointestinal dysfunction who met the selection criteria from June 2020 to March 2023 were randomly divided into two control groups and one observation group, with 50 patients in each group, using the random number table method. The two control groups were treated with either occupational therapy or rTMS alone, and the observation group was treated with occupational therapy combined with rTMS for three courses. The therapeutic effect was observed, as well as neuroelectrophysiology [tibial somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and motion-evoked potential (MEP)], peripheral blood cytokines [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)], muscle strength scores of key muscles of lower limbs, intestinal function [neurologic bowel dysfunction (NBD), Cleveland Incontinence Score, Wexner Constipation Score, and Bristol stool grading], limb function recovery indicators [Barthel Index (BI), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) Scale, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS)] before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The total effective rate in the observation group was 94.00%, which was higher than that of the occupational therapy group (74.00%) and the rTMS group (80.00%) (P < 0.05). After 1 and 3 treatment courses, the latent levels of SEP and MEP of the tibial nerve in ascending order were the observation group, rTMS group, and occupational therapy group, and the peak levels of SEP and MEP of the tibial nerve in descending order were the observation group, rTMS group, and occupational therapy group (P < 0.05); the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TGF-β1 in ascending order were the observation group, rTMS group, and occupational therapy group (P < 0.05), and the muscle strength scores of key muscle groups of lower limbs in descending order were the observation group, rTMS group, and occupational therapy group (P < 0.05); the NBD, Cleveland incontinence score, and Wexner constipation score in ascending order were the observation group, rTMS group, and occupational therapy group, while BI, FEM, and BBS scores in ascending order were the observation group, rTMS group, and occupational therapy group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with either rTMS or occupational therapy alone, their combination can reduce immune inflammatory response, improve impaired limb movement and intestinal function in patients with SCI accompanied by gastrointestinal dysfunction, and help them return to their families and society better.

The incidence of anal incontinence following obstetric anal sphincter injury graded using the Sultan classification: a network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically determine and compare the incidence of anal incontinence between those with different grades of obstetric anal sphincter injury.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 2000 to April 2021.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Observational studies investigating the incidence of anal incontinence following an obstetric anal sphincter injury that was graded using the Sultan classification were eligible for inclusion. To allow comparison between individual tear grades (3a, 3b, 3c, fourth), a network meta-analysis was performed using Stata (version 15.1).

METHODS

For binary outcomes, odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were reported. Obstetric anal sphincter injury grades were ranked from the best clinical outcome to the worst clinical outcome. The percentage chance of each grade taking each rank with regards to outcome was calculated. Study quality and risk of bias was assessed using the relevant tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute.

RESULTS

Of the 696 studies identified, 10 were eligible for inclusion and were included in the network meta-analysis (n=2467 women). The mean incidence of anal incontinence among those with 3a tears was 22.4% (range, 6.1%-51.2%), 24.9% (range, 6.9%-46.7%) among those with 3b tears, 26.8% (range, 0%-55.6%) among those with 3c tears, and 28.6% (0%-71.4%) among those with fourth-degree tears. Anal incontinence incidence was found to be significantly higher among those with 3c (odds ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.94) and fourth-degree tears (odds ratio, 2.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-4.02) than among those with 3a tears. In addition, anal incontinence incidence was significantly higher among those with fourth-degree tears (odds ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-3.22) than among those with 3b tears. Those with 3a tears had the highest probability of having the best clinical outcome; those with 3b; second-, 3c; third- and fourth-degree tears had the highest probability of having the worst clinical outcome. Overall, all studies had a high or unclear risk of bias across 1 or more assessed element.

CONCLUSION

This was a network meta-analysis comparing the incidence of anal incontinence among those with different grades of obstetric anal sphincter injury. Increasing tear-grade severity is associated with worse clinical outcomes. This study provides useful, clinically applicable information that can assist clinicians in the counseling of women following an obstetric anal sphincter injury. In addition, it highlights the importance of accurately diagnosing the obstetric anal sphincter injury grade and subsequently performing the appropriate repair.

The bared external anal sphincter (BEAS), a new technique for high horseshoe anal fistula: a hospital-based cohort study

The aim of this study was to introduce a new technique, the bared external anal sphincter technique, and to evaluate its effectiveness and safety for primary or recurrent high horseshoe anal fistula (HHAF). We used data from a tertiary referral hospital's prospective database of a hospital-based cohort. All the patients underwent the bared external anal sphincter procedure. The main outcomes were short-term clinical outcomes including the 6-month cure rate, Visual Analog Scale pain score (VAS-PS) and Cleveland Clinic Florida incontinence score (CCF-IS). The secondary outcomes included the Quality of Life in Patients with Anal Fistula Questionnaire score (QoLAF-QS), Bristol stool chart and postoperative complications. A total of 48 HHAF patients (39 males) with a mean age of 34.2 years (SD 9.04; range, 21-54) were analyzed in this retrospective study. At the 6-month follow-up, the average VAS-PS and CCF-IS were 0.81 (SD 2.28; range, 0-10) and 1.29 (SD 2.87; range, 0-13), respectively. QoLAF-QS showed that the bared external anal sphincter procedure had no impact over their quality of life in 45 patients (93.75%), limited impact in 2 patients (4.16%), and moderate impact in one patient (2.08%). The Bristol stool scale showed that all patients had normal stool characteristics. The 6-month cure rate was 93.75%. Three patients (6.25%) experienced recurrent symptoms but recovered after surgical management. Urinary retention occurred in 1 case (2.78%). No other postoperative complications were reported. No patient had anal incontinence. The bared external anal sphincter procedure is a safe, effective and sphincter-sparing approach for patients with primary or recurrent HHAF in terms of short-term results.

Diagnosis and management of fecal incontinence in children and adolescents

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a commonly occurring disease of high concern. It is characterized by voluntary and involuntary defecation in children and adolescents. It is not only a physical disease but also a psychological and behavioral disorder. FI poses a serious burden on individuals and their families and therefore has become a social problem. Unfortunately, the management of FI among children is still a challenge because the etiology varies widely. Constipation has been found to be the most common cause, while sphincter dysfunction and neurogenic abnormalities may also play a role. Currently, no consensus guidelines exist, and the criteria for selecting optional methods remain unclear. It is therefore necessary to improve the efficacy of diagnosis and management strategies of FI in children. This review focused on the classification and etiology, discussed the diagnosis and management methods of FI in children and adolescents, and aimed to guide future studies.