Prevalence of faecal incontinence in adults aged 40 years or more living in the community

Relationship Between Hemoglobin A1c and Fecal Incontinence in a Nationwide Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal manifestations of diabetes include a variety of symptoms, including fecal incontinence (FI). We investigated the relationship between hemoglobin A1c and FI among US adults in a large, population-based survey.

METHODS

We identified adults (≥ 20 years) who completed the bowel health questionnaire and had A1c data in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2010 (N = 13,787). FI was defined as any involuntary loss of mucus, liquid, or solid stool during the last 30 days. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for FI were estimated in a multivariable logistic model according to A1c. Subgroup analyses examined relevant characteristics.

RESULTS

We identified 1283 (9.3%) adults with FI. A1c was associated with a 26% increase in the odds of FI (crude OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.20-1.33), which persisted after stepwise adjustment for age, demographic factors, and comorbidities (aOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.17). In subgroup analyses, A1c was associated with FI in diabetes (aOR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.26), women (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.3), those < 65 years of age (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.09-1.25), overweight/obesity (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.02-1.20), non-white (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.01-1.20), and those with solid stool FI (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.32).

CONCLUSION

Increasing A1c was associated with an increased odds of FI. Our study provides insights into subgroups of patients who may benefit from interventions aimed at glucose control to reduce this risk of FI.

Digital Gut-Directed CBT May Improve Fecal Incontinence in IBS

INTRODUCTION

Fecal incontinence (FI) occurs in up to 20% of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, with a negative impact on quality of life, psychologic symptoms, and work impairment. We aimed to evaluate the impact of an app-based gut-directed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program on IBS-associated fecal incontinence (FI) using real-world evidence from user data.

METHODS

The study population was selected from 1,383 Mahana™ IBS users who had completed a 3-month access period for a prescription CBT program between August 2021 and February 2024. Patients completed at least one of the 10-session program, completed ≥ 2 symptom log entries, reported ≥ 1 FI episode during the program, and completed assessments of symptom severity (IBS Symptom Severity Scoring System; IBS-SSS). Mixed-effects linear regression models analyzed the number of FI episodes/user during each session and changes in IBS-SSS as a function of session progression.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients met inclusion criteria with mean age of 49 ± 18 years and a baseline IBS-SSS of 286 ± SD 104. IBS-SSS decreased to 206 ± 125 and 193 ± 129 at sessions 5 and 10, respectively (p < 0.0001). Mean FI episodes/user decreased from 5 ± 11 in session 1 to 0.5 ± 1.5 and 0.1 ± 0.3 in sessions 5 and 10, respectively (p < 0.0001). Responder analysis found that 100% of patients who completed 2 + sessions met the criteria of ≥ 50% reduction in FI episodes between their first and last session.

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that gut-directed digital CBT may reduce the frequency of IBS-associated FI. Future studies should evaluate how brain-gut behavioral therapies can affect anorectal mechanosensory phenomena.

Experimental evaluation of an artificial anal sphincter based on biomechanical compatibility

BACKGROUND

The artificial anal sphincter is a device used to treat patients with fecal incontinence who are unable to control their bowel movements on their own. Long-term morphological changes in the tissue surrounding the artificial anal sphincter can cause biomechanical compatibility problems, which seriously affect the clinical application of the artificial anal sphincter.

METHODS

In this paper, the superelasticity of shape memory alloys was utilized to design and fabricate a biomechanically compatible constant force clamping artificial anal sphincter. An in vitro simulation system was constructed to verify the effectiveness, safety, and constant force characteristics of the artificial anal sphincter.

RESULTS

The experimental results demonstrated that the artificial anal sphincter could be effectively closed with no leakage of the liquid-like intestinal contents, which are most likely to leak. The pressure of the artificial anal sphincter on the intestinal tube gradually increased and eventually became constant during closure, and the pressure value was always less than the intestinal blood supply pressure threshold.

CONCLUSIONS

In this paper, we designed an artificial anal sphincter based on biomechanical compatibility and the corresponding in vitro simulation experimental program and preliminarily verified the effectiveness, safety, and constant force characteristics of the artificial anal sphincter.

Racial Disparities in Pelvic Floor Disorders

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of racial disparities and socioeconomic status on pelvic floor disorder (PFD) care.

BACKGROUND

Racial disparities in colorectal PFD remain uninvestigated, despite prior research in urogynecology.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital of London in 2023. Patients with colorectal PFD from 2013 to 2018 were evaluated. Patients were classified according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores and divided into quintiles. The lowest quintile represents the most deprived, whereas the higher quintile represents the least deprived. Assessed variables are: patient complaints, symptoms, consultant and biofeedback referrals, investigations, multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) discussions, treatment, and follow-up appointments.

RESULTS

A total of 2001 patients were considered. A total of 1126 patients were initially analyzed, and 875 patients were excluded owing to incomplete data. Eight ethnic groups were identified in this study. Constipation was the most common complaint across ethnic groups ( P = 0.03). Diagnostics, MDM discussions, and conservative treatment did not vary among ethnicities. White British and Asian patients were significantly more likely to be seen by a consultant ( P = 0.001) and undergo surgery ( P = 0.002). In the second part of the study, the IMD was calculated for 1992 patients who were categorized into quintiles. Diagnostic tests, discussion in MDM, consultant review, and surgical treatments were significantly lower in the 2 lowest quintiles ( P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.02, and P = 0.02, respectively). Conservative treatment did not vary between the IMD groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal PFD exist among ethnic minorities and patients of low socioeconomic status. This study allows for the replication of service provision frameworks in other affected areas to minimize inequalities.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions delivered at home for urinary and faecal incontinence with homebound older people: systematic review of randomised controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Incontinence is a common, distressing condition, most prevalent in older people. There is an unmet need for effective interventions to support continence. This review focuses on non-pharmacological interventions to reduce incontinence among homebound older people. Aim: to identify interventions with potential to be delivered by care workers, nurses or family members in a person's home.

METHODS

Multiple databases were searched until 15 September 2023 for randomised controlled trials reporting home-based interventions for incontinence for older people (≥65 years) living at home. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and papers against inclusion criteria, then assessed for the Risk of Bias (RoB2). A third reviewer resolved the discrepancies. Primary data were extracted and synthesised.

RESULTS

A full-text review of 81 papers identified seven eligible papers (1996-2022, all USA), including n = 636 participants (561 women and 75 men). Two studies focusing on multicomponent behavioural interventions showed benefit, as did one study of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation self-administered through electrode-embedded socks. Three, which included cognitively impaired people, reported improvement with toileting assistance programmes, but the effects were not all significant. Results were inconclusive from a study examining the effects of fluid intake adjustments. Interventions were delivered by nurses, three in collaboration with family caregivers. No faecal incontinence interventions met the criteria.

CONCLUSION

There is scant evidence for continence supporting interventions delivered in older people's own homes. With an ageing population often reliant on family or social care workers well-placed to support continence promotion and policy drives for services to support older people remaining at home, this evidence gap needs addressing.

Global Prevalence of Fecal Incontinence in Community-Dwelling Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Fecal incontinence (FI) can considerably impair quality of life. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, we sought to determine the global prevalence and geographic distribution of FI and to characterize its relationship with sex and age.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify population-based surveys of the prevalence of FI.

RESULTS

Of the 5175 articles identified, the final analysis included 80 studies; the median response rate was 66% (interquartile range [IQR], 54%-74%). Among 548,316 individuals, the pooled global prevalence of FI was 8.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.8%-9.2%); by Rome criteria, it was 5.4% (95% CI, 3.1%-7.7%). FI prevalence was greater for persons aged 60 years and older (9.3%; 95% CI, 6.6%-12.0%) compared with younger persons (4.9%; 95% CI, 2.9%-6.9%) (odds ratio [OR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.39-2.20), and it was more prevalent among women (9.1%; 95% CI, 7.6%-10.6%) than men (7.4%; 95% CI, 6.0%-8.8%]) (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06-1.28). The prevalence was highest in Australia and Oceania, followed by North America, Asia, and Europe, but prevalence could not be estimated in Africa and the Middle East. The risk of bias was low, moderate, and high for 19 (24%), 46 (57%), and 15 (19%) studies, respectively. Exclusion of studies with high risk of bias did not affect the prevalence of FI or heterogeneity. In the meta-regression, the high study heterogeneity (I2 = 99.61%) was partly explained by age.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 1 in 12 adults worldwide have FI. The prevalence is greater among women and older people.

Prevalence of Fecal Incontinence in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Prospective Evaluation of 100 Patients

BACKGROUND

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a frequent disease in elderly patients. The main symptoms are gait disturbance, urine incontinence, and cognitive decline. Fecal urgency and incontinence are described as rare additional symptoms; however, no exact numbers are known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fecal disturbances in NPH patients.

METHODS

Patients who presented to our department with confirmed diagnosis of NPH between January and December 2021 were interviewed prospectively about fecal function. Additionally, the extent of gait disturbance, cognitive decline, ventriculomegaly (EvansIndex), disproportionate enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH presence), age, gender, and length of history were documented. In those who were operated with a hydrocephalus shunt postoperative development of stool incontinence was followed up.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were evaluated (67 males, 33 females, medium age 77.5 years, medium Evans Index: 0.37; 87 with disproportionate enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus). 97 patients showed gait disturbance, 84 cognitive decline, and 87 bladder dysfunctions. 78 patients had the complete Hakim triad. 32 patients complained about fecal incontinence (20 with urge incontinence, 12 with complete incontinence). Twenty nine patients were shunted, of which 17 (57%) recovered completely, 9 (31%) partially, and 3 (10%) did not show any change.

CONCLUSIONS

Fecal urgency and incontinence is a frequent finding in NPH (32%) and is essential for the quality of life. In the general population, fecal incontinence in elderly is found in up to 15%. The more than two-fold higher prevalence in NPH patients and the high percentage of postshunted improvement suggests that NPH causes often directly fecal disturbance.

The effect of Trolox on the rabbit anal sphincterotomy repair

INTRODUCTION

Fecal incontinence (FI) is caused by external anal sphincter injury. Vitamin E is a potential strategy for anal sphincter muscle repair via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and protective properties against myocyte loss. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the water-soluble form of vitamin E efficacy in repairing anal sphincter muscle defects in rabbits.

METHODS

Twenty-one male rabbits were equally assigned to the intact (without any intervention), control (sphincterotomy), and Trolox (sphincterotomy + Trolox administration) groups. Ninety days after sphincterotomy, the resting and squeeze pressures were evaluated by manometry, and the number of motor units in the sphincterotomy site was calculated by electromyography. Also, the amount of muscle and collagen in the injury site was investigated by Mallory's trichrome staining.

RESULTS

Ninety days after the intervention, the resting and squeeze pressures in the intact and Trolox groups were significantly higher than in the control group (P = 0.001). Moreover, the total collagen percentage of the sphincterotomy site was significantly lower in the Trolox group than in the control group (P = 0.002), and the total muscle percentage was significantly higher in the Trolox group compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Also, the motor unit number was higher in the Trolox group than in the control group (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Trolox administration in the rabbit sphincterotomy model can decrease the amount of collagen and increase muscle, leading to improved anal sphincter electromyography and manometry results. Therefore, Trolox is a potential treatment strategy for FI.

Prevalence and impact of faecal incontinence among individuals with Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Little is known about faecal incontinence (FI) in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

AIMS

To compare characteristics of people with IBS reporting FI, compared with people with IBS who do not report FI.

METHODS

We collected demographic, gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms, healthcare usage, direct healthcare costs, impact on work and activities of daily living, and quality of life data from individuals with Rome IV-defined IBS. We asked participants about FI, assigning presence or absence according to Rome-IV criteria.

RESULTS

Of 752 participants with Rome IV IBS, 202 (26.9%) met Rome IV criteria for FI. Individuals with FI were older (p < 0.001), more likely to have IBS-D (47.0% vs. 39.0%, p = 0.008), and less likely to have attained a university or postgraduate level of education (31.2% vs. 45.6%, p < 0.001), or to have an annual income of ≥£30,000 (18.2% vs. 32.9%, p < 0.001). They were more likely to report urgency (44.6% vs. 19.1%, p < 0.001) as their most troublesome symptom and a greater proportion had severe IBS symptom scores, abnormal depression scores, higher somatic symptom-reporting scores or higher gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety scores (p < 0.01 for trend for all analyses). Mean health-related quality of life scores were significantly lower among those with, compared with those without, FI (p < 0.001). Finally, FI was associated with higher IBS-related direct healthcare costs (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with Rome IV IBS, one-in-four repo rted FI according to Rome IV criteria. Physicians should ask patients with IBS about FI routinely.

Risk Factors for Anal Continence Impairment Following a Second Delivery after a First Traumatic Delivery: A Prospective Cohort Study

Postpartum anal incontinence is common. After a first delivery (D1) with perineal trauma, follow-up is advised to reduce the risk of anal incontinence. Endoanal sonography (EAS) may be considered to evaluate the sphincter and in case of sphincter lesions to discuss cesarean section for the second delivery (D2). Our objective was to study the risk factors for anal continence impairment following D2. Women with a history of traumatic D1 were followed before and 6 months after D2. Continence was measured using the Vaizey score. An increase ≥2 points after D2 defined a significant deterioration. A total of 312 women were followed and 67 (21%) had worse anal continence after D2. The main risk factors for this deterioration were the presence of urinary incontinence and the combined use of instruments and episiotomy during D2 (OR 5.12, 95% CI 1.22-21.5). After D1, 192 women (61.5%) had a sphincter rupture revealed by EAS, whereas it was diagnosed clinically in only 48 (15.7%). However, neither clinically undiagnosed ruptures nor severe ruptures were associated with an increased risk of continence deterioration after D2, and cesarean section did not protect against it. One woman out of five in this population had anal continence impairment after D2. The main risk factor was instrumental delivery. Caesarean section was not protective. Although EAS enabled the diagnosis of clinically-missed sphincter ruptures, these were not associated with continence impairment. Anal incontinence should be systematically screened in patients presenting urinary incontinence after D2 as they are frequently associated.

Combined 3D Endoanal Ultrasound and Transperineal Ultrasound Improves the Detection of Anal Sphincter Defects

INTRODUCTION

Anal sphincter injury, mainly due to obstetric or iatrogenic etiology, is the most common cause of fecal incontinence (FI). Three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D EAUS) is used for assessment of the integrity and the degree of anal muscle injury. However, 3D EAUS accuracy may be hampered by regional acoustic effects, such as intravaginal air. Therefore, our aim was to examine whether a combination of transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and 3D EAUS would improve the accuracy of detection of anal sphincter injury.

METHODS

We prospectively performed 3D EAUS followed by TPUS in every patient evaluated for FI in our clinic between January 2020 and January 2021. The diagnosis of anal muscle defects was assessed in each ultrasound technique by two experienced observers that were blinded to each other's assessments. Interobserver agreement for the results of the 3D EAUS and the TPUS exams was examined. A final diagnosis of anal sphincter defect was based on the results of both ultrasound methods. Discordant results were re-analyzed by the two ultrasonographers for a final consensus on the presence or absence of defects.

RESULTS

A total of 108 patients underwent ultrasonographic assessment due to FI (mean age 69 ± 13). Interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of tear on EAUS and TPUS was high (83%) with Cohen's kappa of 0.62. EAUS confirmed anal muscle defects in 56 patients (52%), while TPUS confirmed them in 62 patients (57%). The final consensus agreed on the diagnosis of 63 (58%) muscular defects and 45 (42%) normal exams. The Cohen's kappa coefficient of agreement between the results of the 3D EAUS and the final consensus was 0.63.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of 3D EAUS and TPUS improved the detection of anal muscular defects. The application of both techniques for the assessment of the anal integrity should be considered in every patient going through ultrasonographic assessment for anal muscular injury.

Flow simulations of rectal evacuation: towards a quantitative evaluation from video defaecography

Mechanistic understanding of anorectal (patho)physiology is missing to improve the medical care of patients suffering from defaecation disorders. Our objective is to show that complex fluid dynamics modelling of video defaecography may open new perspectives in the diagnosis of defaecation disorders. Based on standard X-ray video defaecographies, we developed a bi-dimensional patient-specific simulation of the expulsion of soft materials, the faeces, by the rectum. The model quantified velocity, pressure and stress fields during the defaecation of a neostool with soft stool-like rheology for patients showing normal and pathological defaecatory function. In normal defaecation, the proximal-distal pressure gradient resulted from both the anorectal junction which formed a converging channel and the anal canal. The flow of the neostool through these anatomical parts was dominated by its shear-thinning viscous properties, rather than its yield stress. Consequently, the evacuation flow rate was significantly affected by variations in pressure applied by the rectum, and much less by the geometry of the anorectal junction. Lastly, we simulated impaired defaecations in the absence of obvious obstructive phenomena. Comparison with normal defaecation allowed us to discuss critical elements which should lead to effective medical management.

Characteristics of Fecal Incontinence in Male Patients in Japan

OBJECTIVES

Although community studies have shown no difference between the sexes in the prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI), few direct comparisons of disease characteristics between male and female patients have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether characteristics of FI differ between male and female patients in Japan.

METHODS

Included in the study were 408 (149 men, 259 women) patients with FI who visited the Matsushima Hospital Coloproctology Center between October 2016 and September 2017. We retrospectively evaluated data on age, number of bowel movements, Bristol stool form scale, number of FI, incontinence scores, anorectal manometry, comorbidities, and history of anal surgery.

RESULTS

Maximum resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure were found to be within normal range in significantly more male than female patients (34.9% vs. 12.4%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, 20.1% vs. 9.3%; p = 0.003) and a history of anal surgery (29.5% vs. 17.5%; p = 0.02) were more prevalent among male patients than among female patients. Use of mepenzolate as treatment was significantly more common among male patients than among female patients (16.8% vs. 6.6%, respectively; p = 0.005). Responses to the various treatments were good, regardless of sex.

CONCLUSIONS

FI appears to be more commonly accompanied by normal anal sphincter pressures in male patients than in female patients, and IBS and previous anal surgery appear to be more common among male patients than among female patients. FI appears to be controllable in most patients, regardless of sex.

External kinesiology tape for improvement in fecal incontinence symptom bother in women: a pilot study

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Fecal incontinence is a debilitating condition with a devastating impact on quality of life. Using a commercially available kinesiology band we developed an anal tape to be applied to the anus with the aim to determine its impact on symptom bother and quality of life.

METHODS

Four-week prospective, self-controlled, pilot study of patients with FI. The primary outcome was improvement in any of the four domains (lifestyle, coping/behavior, depression/self-perception, embarrassment) evaluated by the "Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale." Secondary outcomes included improvement in frequency of incontinence events and safety. Days 0-14 served as control period and days 15-28 as study period. Patients were asked to rate their satisfaction and willingness to use the device in the future using a 10-cm continuous visual analog scale.

RESULTS

Twenty patients completed the study. Median age was 64 years; all patients were females. Significant improvements were observed in all domains of the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale from baseline to day 28 (p < 0.001 for all) and in three of four domains between day 15 and 28 (p < 0.04) but not between days 1 and 14. Five patients (25%) had a ≥ 50% improvement in incontinence events. Patients reported satisfaction and willingness to use the anal tape in the future. Other than mild difficulty to remove the anal tape, no adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small pilot study, the use of the anal tape was safe and effective. The primary outcome of significant improvement in quality of life was achieved ( ClinicalTrials.gov ID:NCT02989545).

PUBLIC TRIAL REGISTRY

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02989545. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02989545.

Biofeedback therapy for anorectal functional disorder: Malaysian colorectal tertiary centre experience

Background

Anorectal functional disorder encompasses arrays of conditions including Obstructive Defecation Syndrome (ODS) and Fecal Incontinence (FI). Biofeedback Therapy (BFT) serves as first line therapy to re-train pelvic floor coordination, rectal sensation and strengthening pelvic floor muscle. The aim of this study is determining the efficacy of BFT in our centre.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational cohort study of patients attended biofeedback therapy session from January 2013 to December 2018. Descriptive statistic was used to analyse the data.

Result

Total 99 patients with mean age of 44.6 ± 18.1 with female 56% (n = 55) and male 44% (n = 44) attended BFT session. Overall, 77 had CC (77%) and 23 (23%) had FI. Mean number of sessions was 11.8. Overall improvement rate 42 (42%), no improvement 32 (32%) and defaulted 26 (26%). In patients with CC, 32 (41.6%) had improvement in symptoms, 23 (29.9%) had no improvements, 22 (28.6%) defaulted BFT.

Patients with FI, 7 (30.4%) had Obstetric Sphincter Injury, 7 (30.4%) had traumatic anal injury, 3 (13.0%) has Low Anterior Resection Syndrome, 2 (8.7%) had sphincter injury following anal sepsis, 2 (13.0%) had rectocele repair and 1 (4.3%) were idiopathic. 9 patients (39.1%) had stoma created. Overall response rate was: 10 patients (43.5%) had improvement in symptoms, 9 patients (39.1%) had no improvement, 4 patients (17.4%) defaulted therapy.

Conclusion

Our outcome rate is lower compared to published due the limited access and logistic restrictions. This issue should be given great consideration such as broadening the service and training.

•

Anorectal functional disorder encompasses arrays of conditions including Obstructive Defecation Syndrome (ODS) and Fecal Incontinence (FI). Biofeedback Therapy (BFT) serves as first line therapy to re-train pelvic floor coordination, rectal sensation and strengthening pelvic floor muscle.

•

The aim of this study is determining the efficacy of BFT in our centre. This is a retrospective observational cohort study of patients attended biofeedback therapy session from January 2013 to December 2018.

•

Total 100 patients with mean age of 44.6 ± 18.1 with female 56% (n = 56) and male 44% (n = 44) attended BFT session. Overall, 77 had CC (77%) and 23 (23%) had FI. Mean number of sessions was 11.8. Overall improvement rate 42 (42%), no improvement 32 (32%) and defaulted 26 (26%). In patients with CC, 32 (41.6%) had improvement in symptoms, 23 (29.9%) had no improvements, 22 (28.6%) defaulted BFT. Patients with FI, 7 (30.4%) had Obstetric Sphincter Injury, 7 (30.4%) had traumatic anal injury, 3 (13.0%) has Low Anterior Resection Syndrome, 2 (8.7%) had sphincter injury following anal sepsis, 2 (13.0%) had rectocele repair and 1 (4.3%) were idiopathic. 9 patients (39.1%) had stoma created. Overall response rate was: 10 patients (43.5%) had improvement in symptoms, 9 patients (39.1%) had no improvement, 4 patients (17.4%) defaulted therapy.

•

Our outcome rate is lower compared to published due the limited access and logistic restrictions. This issue should be given great consideration such as broadening the service and training.

Rapid priority setting exercise on faecal incontinence for Cochrane Incontinence

Objective

This rapid priority setting exercise aimed to identify, expand, prioritise and explore stakeholder (patients, carers and healthcare practitioners) topic uncertainties on faecal incontinence (FI).

Design

An evidence gap map (EGM) was produced to give a visual overview of emerging trial evidence; existing systematic review-level evidence and FI stakeholder topic uncertainties derived from a survey. This EGM was used in a knowledge exchange workshop that promoted group discussions leading to the prioritisation and exploration of FI stakeholder identified topic uncertainties.

Results

Overall, a mismatch between the existing and emerging evidence and key FI stakeholder topic uncertainties was found. The prioritised topic uncertainties identified in the workshop were as follows: psychological support; lifestyle interventions; long-term effects of living with FI; education; constipation and the cultural impact of FI. When these six prioritised topic uncertainties were explored in more depth, the following themes were identified: education; impact and burden of living with FI; psychological support; healthcare service improvements and inconsistencies; the stigma of FI; treatments and management; culturally appropriate management and technology and its accessibility.

Conclusions

Topic uncertainties identified were broad and wide ranging even after prioritisation. More research is required to unpick the themes emerging from the in-depth discussion and explore these further to achieve a consensus on deliverable research questions.

Fecal Incontinence: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Updated Treatment Strategies

Fecal incontinence (FI) is defined as the involuntary loss or passage of solid or liquid stool in patients. FI is a common and debilitating condition in men and women. The incidence increases with age and also often goes unreported to health care providers. It is crucial that providers ask at-risk patients about possible symptoms. Evaluation and management is tailored to specific symptoms and characteristics of the incontinence. If conservative methods fail to improve symptoms, then other surgical options are considered, such as sacral nerve stimulation and anal sphincter augmentation. This review provides an update on current and future therapies.

Redundancy in the International Anorectal Physiology Working Group Manometry Protocol: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study in Fecal Incontinence

BACKGROUND

Anorectal manometry (ARM) is essential for identifying sphincteric dysfunction. The International Anorectal Physiology Working Group (IAPWG) protocol and London Classification provide a standardized format for performing and interpreting ARM. However, there is scant evidence to support timing and number of constituent maneuvers.

AIMS

To assess the impact of protocol modification on diagnostic accuracy in patients with fecal incontinence.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of high-resolution ARM recordings from consecutive patients based on the current IAPWG protocol and modifications thereof: (1) baseline rest period (60 vs. 30 vs. 10 s); (2) number of abnormal short squeezes (SS) out of 3 (SS1/SS2/SS3) based on maximal incremental squeeze pressures over 5 s; (3) resting anal pressures (reflecting recovery) at 25-30 versus 15-20 s after SS1.

RESULTS

One hundred patients (86 F, median age 55 [IQR: 39-65]; median St. Mark's incontinence score 14 [10-17]) were studied. 26% and 8% had anal hypotonia and hypertonia, respectively. Compared with 60-s resting pressure, measurements had perfect correlation (κ = 1.0) over 30 s, and substantial correlation (κ = 0.85) over 10 s. After SS1, SS2, and SS3, 43%, 49%, and 46% had anal hypocontractility, respectively. Correlation was substantial between SS1 and SS2 (κ = 0.799) and almost perfect between SS2 and SS3 (κ = 0.9). Compared to resting pressure of 5 s before SS1, pressure recordings at 25-30 and 15-20 s after SS1 were significantly correlated.

CONCLUSIONS

A 30-s resting anal pressure, analysis of 2 short-squeezes with a 20-s between-maneuver recovery optimizes study duration without compromising diagnostic accuracy. These findings indicate the IAPWG protocol has redundancy.

Should pregnant women know their individual risk of future pelvic floor dysfunction? A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to explore: • pregnant women's and healthcare professionals' perspectives on provision of individual risk scores for future Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD), • the feasibility of providing this during routine maternity care, • actions women might take as a result of knowing their PFD risk.

METHODS

Qualitative study.

SETTING

UK NHS Health Board.

PARTICIPANTS

Pregnant women (n = 14), obstetricians (n = 6), midwives (n = 8) and physiotherapists (n = 3). A purposive sample of pregnant women and obstetric healthcare professionals were introduced to the UR-CHOICE calculator, which estimates a woman's PFD risk, and were shown examples of low, medium and high-risk women. Data were collected in 2019 by semi-structured interview and focus group and analysed using the Framework Approach.

RESULTS

Women's PFD knowledge was limited, meaning they were unlikely to raise PFD risk with healthcare professionals. Women believed it was important to know their individual PFD risk and that knowledge would motivate them to undertake preventative activities. Healthcare professionals believed it was important to discuss PFD risk, however limited time and concerns over increased caesarean section rates prevented this in all but high-risk women or those that expressed concerns.

CONCLUSION

Women want to know their PFD risk. As part of an intervention based within a pregnant woman/ maternity healthcare professional consultation, the UR-CHOICE calculator could support discussion to consider preventative PFD activities and to enable women to be more prepared should PFD occur. A randomised controlled trial is needed to test the effectiveness of an intervention which includes the UR-CHOICE calculator in reducing PFD.

Efficacy and Safety of the Japanese Herbal Medicine Daikenchuto (DKT) in Elderly Fecal Incontinence Patients: A Prospective Study

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Results:

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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anal and Fecal Incontinence in Japanese Medical Personnel

Objectives

This study aimed to elucidate the actual state of anal incontinence (AI), fecal incontinence (FI), and the associated factors in Japanese medical personnel.

Methods

A questionnaire was completed by Japanese medical personnel after listening to lectures on AI. AI was defined as involuntary loss of feces or flatus.

Results

A total of 463 persons (mean age, 35.6 years; range, 20-91; male/female/no answer, 132/324/7) participated in the questionnaire. AI occurred in 34.4% of 450 participants (flatus/liquid stool/solid stool: 30.4%/3.6%/0.4%). AI was significantly more prevalent in females (male/female: 15.5%/42.7%, p < 0.001). AI and FI occurred significantly more prevalent in participants aged ≧40 years (p < 0.024). AI was significantly associated with childbirth, frequency of childbirth (more than three times), vaginal delivery, urinary incontinence, the style of urination/defecation, and a history of gynecologic surgery and systemic diseases (p < 0.05). Female gender and age as well as urinary incontinence and inability to defecate separately in female and previous colorectal disease and/or surgery in male were risk factors of AI by multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). FI was correlated with urinary incontinence.

Conclusions

AI and FI occurred in 34.4% and 4.0% of Japanese medical personnel, respectively. Gas incontinence was common in every age group. AI was associated with female gender, higher age group, urinary incontinence, the style of urination and defecation in female, and previous colorectal disease and/or surgery in male. FI was associated with urinary incontinence.

Myogenic Cell Transplantation in Genetic and Acquired Diseases of Skeletal Muscle

This article will review myogenic cell transplantation for congenital and acquired diseases of skeletal muscle. There are already a number of excellent reviews on this topic, but they are mostly focused on a specific disease, muscular dystrophies and in particular Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. There are also recent reviews on cell transplantation for inflammatory myopathies, volumetric muscle loss (VML) (this usually with biomaterials), sarcopenia and sphincter incontinence, mainly urinary but also fecal. We believe it would be useful at this stage, to compare the same strategy as adopted in all these different diseases, in order to outline similarities and differences in cell source, pre-clinical models, administration route, and outcome measures. This in turn may help to understand which common or disease-specific problems have so far limited clinical success of cell transplantation in this area, especially when compared to other fields, such as epithelial cell transplantation. We also hope that this may be useful to people outside the field to get a comprehensive view in a single review. As for any cell transplantation procedure, the choice between autologous and heterologous cells is dictated by a number of criteria, such as cell availability, possibility of in vitro expansion to reach the number required, need for genetic correction for many but not necessarily all muscular dystrophies, and immune reaction, mainly to a heterologous, even if HLA-matched cells and, to a minor extent, to the therapeutic gene product, a possible antigen for the patient. Finally, induced pluripotent stem cell derivatives, that have entered clinical experimentation for other diseases, may in the future offer a bank of immune-privileged cells, available for all patients and after a genetic correction for muscular dystrophies and other myopathies.

A European snapshot of psychosocial characteristics and patients' perspectives of faecal incontinence-do they correlate with current scoring systems?

PURPOSE

To compare the current clinical scoring systems used to quantify the severity of symptoms of faecal incontinence (FI) to patients' subjective scoring of parameters of psychosocial well-being.

METHODS

Patients referred to six European centres for investigation or treatment of symptoms of FI between June 2017 and September 2019 completed a questionnaire that captured patient demographics, incontinence symptoms using St. Mark's Incontinence score (SMIS) and ICIQ-B, psychological well-being (HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and social interaction (a three-item loneliness scale).

RESULTS

Three hundred eighteen patients completed questionnaires (62 men, mean age 58.7). Sixty percent of the respondents were aged under 65. Median SMIS was 15 (11-18), ICIQ-B bowel pattern was 8 (6-11) and bowel control was 17 (13-22), similar across all demographic groups; however, younger patients were more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety (HADS score > 10, 65.2% of patients age < 65 vs 54.9% of those ages > = 65, p = 0.03) with lower quality of life (ICIQ-B QoL, median score 19 (14-23)) vs age > = 65 (16 (11-21) (p < 0.005)). On loneliness score 25.5% reported often feeling isolated from others. One of the most significant concerns by patients was the fear and embarrassment related to unpredictable episodes of incontinence.

CONCLUSION

The SMIS remains a useful tool for quantifying incontinence symptoms but may underestimate the psychosocial morbidity associated with unpredictable episodes of incontinence. Interventions aimed at decreasing anxiety and to address feelings of disgust may be helpful for a significant number of patients requiring treatment for FI.

Fatigability of the external anal sphincter muscles using a novel strength training resistance exercise device

Exercises involving pelvic floor muscles including repetitive voluntary contractions of external anal sphincter (EAS) musculature have been used to improve fecal incontinence. Muscle fatigue is a prerequisite for successful strength training. However, muscle fatigue induced by these exercises has not been systematically studied. We aimed to assess the fatigability of EAS muscles during various exercise methods. Twelve nulliparous (21 ± 2.7 yr) women were studied. We evaluated fatigue during 40 repetitive 3-s contractions and 30-s long squeeze contractions both with and without an intra-anal compressible resistant load. The sequence of exercises was randomized. This load was provided by the continence muscles Resistance Exerciser Device. Anal canal pressures were recorded by high-resolution manometry. Exercise against a resistive load showed significant decrease in anal contractile integral (CI) and maximum squeeze pressure during repetitive short squeeze contractions compared with exercise without a load. Linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between anal CI and successive contraction against load, suggesting "fatigue." Similar findings were observed for maximum squeeze pressure (slope with load = -4.2, P = 0.0003, vs. without load = -0.9, P = 0.3). Long squeeze contraction against a load was also more susceptible to fatigue than without a load (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, repetitive contractions against a compressible load induce fatigue and thus have the potential to strengthen the anal sphincter contractile function than contractions without a load. Fatigue rate in long squeeze contraction exercises with a load is significantly faster than that without a load, also indicating greater effectiveness in inducing muscle fatigue.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Fecal incontinence is a distressing disorder with a mainstay of treatment being pelvic floor muscle exercises. However, none of these exercises has proven occurrence of fatigability, which is an important prerequisite for successful muscle strengthening in rehabilitative exercises. In this study, we proved that we can fatigue the external anal sphincter muscles more efficiently by providing a resistive load during anal repetitive short squeeze contractions and long squeeze contraction exercise.

Randomized Pilot Study: Anal Inserts Versus Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Fecal Incontinence

BACKGROUND

Anal inserts and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation may be offered to those with fecal incontinence in whom other conservative treatments have failed.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare anal inserts and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.

DESIGN

This was an investigator-blinded randomized pilot study.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted at a large tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS

Adult patients with passive or mixed fecal incontinence were recruited.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the anal inserts or weekly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for a period of 3 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary end point was a 50% reduction of episodes of fecal incontinence per week as calculated by a prospectively completed 2-week bowel diary. Secondary end points were St Mark's incontinence score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Bowel scores (for bowel pattern, bowel control, and quality of life), use of antidiarrheal agents, estimates of comfort and acceptability.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were recruited: 25 were randomly assigned to anal inserts and 25 were randomly assigned to percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. All completed treatment. A significant improvement of scores in the 2-week bowel diary, the St Mark's scores and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Bowel scores, was seen in both groups after 3 months of treatment. A reduction of ≥50% fecal incontinence episodes was reached by 76% (n = 19/25) by the anal insert group, compared with 48% (n = 12/25) of those in the percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation group (p = 0.04). The St Mark's fecal incontinence scores and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Bowel scores for bowel pattern, bowel control, and quality of life (p = 0.01) suggest similar improvement for each group.

LIMITATIONS

A realistic sample size calculation could not be performed because of the paucity of objective prospective studies assessing the effect of the insert device and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Both anal insert and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation improved the symptoms of fecal incontinence after 3 months of treatment. The insert device appeared to be more effective than percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. Larger studies are needed to investigate this further. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B460.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Clinicaltrials.gov No. NCT04273009.

ESTUDIO PILOTO ALEATORIZADO DE INSERCIONES ANALES CONTRA LA ESTIMULACIN PERCUTNEA DEL NERVIO TIBIAL EN PACIENTES CON INCONTINENCIA FECAL

ANTECEDENTES:Las inserciones anales y la estimulación percutánea del nervio tibial (PTNS) se pueden ofrecer a las personas con incontinencia fecal que han fallado en otros tratamientos conservadores.OBJETIVO:Nuestro objetivo fue comparar inserciones anales y estimulación percutánea del nervio tibial.DISEÑO:Este fue un estudio piloto aleatorio ciego para investigadores.AJUSTE:El estudio se realizó en un hospital de atención terciaria.PACIENTES:Se reclutaron pacientes adultos con incontinencia fecal pasiva o mixta.INTERVENCIONES:Los pacientes fueron asignados al azar para recibir inserciones anales o estimulación del nervio tibial percutáneo semanal durante un período de tres meses.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:El principal resultado fue una reducción del 50% de los episodios de incontinencia fecal por semana, según lo calculado mediante un diario intestinal de dos semanas completado de forma prospectiva. Los criterios de valoración secundarios fueron la puntuación de incontinencia de St Mark, las puntuaciones del ICIQ-B (para patrón intestinal, control intestinal y calidad de vida), uso de agentes antidiarreicos, estimaciones de comodidad y aceptabilidad.RESULTADOS:Se reclutaron 50 pacientes: 25 fueron asignados al azar a inserciones anales y 25 a PTNS. Todo el tratamiento completado. Se observó una mejora significativa de las puntuaciones en el diario intestinal de dos semanas, la puntuación de St Mark y la puntuación del ICIQ-B en ambos grupos después de 3 meses de tratamiento. Se alcanzó una reducción de ≥ 50% de los episodios de incontinencia fecal en un 76% (n = 19/25) en el grupo de inserción anal, en comparación con el 48% (n = 12/25) de los del grupo de estimulación percutánea del nervio tibial (p = 0,04). Las puntuaciones de incontinencia fecal de St Mark, las puntuaciones del ICIQ-B para el patrón intestinal, el control intestinal y la calidad de vida (p = 0,01) sugieren una mejora similar para cada grupo.LIMITACIONES:No se pudo realizar un cálculo realista del tamaño de la muestra debido a la escasez de estudios prospectivos objetivos que evaluaran el efecto del dispositivo de inserción y la estimulación percutánea del nervio tibial.CONCLUSIONES:Tanto la inserción anal como la estimulación percutánea del nervio tibial mejoraron los síntomas de incontinencia fecal después de 3 meses de tratamiento. El dispositivo de inserción parecia ser más efectivo que la estimulación percutánea del nervio tibial. Se necesitan estudios más amplios para investigar esto más a fondo. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B460.NÚMERO DE REGISTRO DE PRUEBA:Clinicaltrials.gov No. NCT04273009.

Changing paradigm of sacral neuromodulation and external anal sphincter repair for faecal incontinence in specialist centres

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine whether the paradigm of surgical intervention for faecal incontinence (FI) has changed between 2000 and 2013.

METHOD

This was a multi-centre retrospective study of patients who had undergone either sacral neuromodulation (SNM) or delayed sphincter repair or sphincteroplasty (SR) as a primary surgical intervention for FI in five centres in Europe and one in the United States. The flow of patients according to the intervention, sustainability of the treatment at a minimum follow-up of 5 years, complications and requirement for further interventions were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 461 patients (median age 56 years, range 24-90 years, 41 men) had either SNM or SR as an index operation during the study period [SNM 284 (61.6%), SR 177 (38.4%)]. Among SNM patients, there were 169 revisional operations (change of battery and/or lead, re-siting or removal). At the time of last follow-up 203 patients (71.4%) continued to use SNM. Among SR patients, 30 (16.9%) had complications, most notably wound infection (22, 12.4%). During follow-up 32 patients (18.1%) crossed over to SNM. Comparing two 4-year periods (2000-2003 and 2007-2010), the proportion of patients operated on who had a circumferential sphincter defect of less than 90° was 48 (68%) and 45 (46%), respectively (P = 0.03), while those who had SNM as the primary intervention increased from 29% to 89% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The paradigm of surgical intervention for FI has changed with increasing use of SNM.

What Is Fecal Incontinence That Urologists Need to Know?

Fecal incontinence (FI) undoubtedly reduces quality of life and adversely affects the social life of the affected individual. FI has a higher prevalence with age and has an equivalent prevalence to urinary incontinence in patients with genitourinary disease, but is often not confirmed in these cases. A thorough investigation is needed to diagnose FI, with the common etiology of this condition in mind, and several questionnaires can be used to identify symptoms. The physical examination contains digital rectal examination carries out to identify the patient's condition. Ultrasound, colonoscopy, and rectum pressure test can be performed. Patients educated in diet-related issues, bowel movements, and defecation mechanism. Nonoperative options such as diet control and Kegel exercise should be performed at first. Surgical treatment of FI is considered when conservative management and oral medications produce no improvement. Surgical options include less invasive procedures like bulking agent injections, and more involved approaches from sacral nerve stimulation to invasive direct sphincter repair and artificial bowel sphincter insertion. Good outcomes in FI cases have also recently been reported for barrier devices.

Fecal Incontinence in the Elderly

Fecal incontinence can be a challenging and stigmatizing disease with a high prevalence in the elderly population. Despite effective treatment options, most patients do not receive care. Clues in the history and physical examination can assist the provider in establishing the diagnosis. Direct inquiry about the presence of incontinence is key. Bowel disturbances are common triggers for symptoms and represent some of the easiest treatment targets. We review the epidemiology and impact of the disease, delineate a diagnostic and treatment approach for primary care physicians to identify patients with suspected fecal incontinence and describe appropriate treatment options.

Japanese Practice Guidelines for Fecal Incontinence Part 1-Definition, Epidemiology, Etiology, Pathophysiology and Causes, Risk Factors, Clinical Evaluations, and Symptomatic Scores and QoL Questionnaire for Clinical Evaluations-English Version

Fecal incontinence (FI) is defined as involuntary or uncontrollable loss of feces. Gas incontinence is defined as involuntary or uncontrollable loss of flatus, while anal incontinence is defined as the involuntary loss of feces or flatus. The prevalence of FI in people over 65 in Japan is 8.7% in the male population and 6.6% among females. The etiology of FI is usually not limited to one specific cause, with risk factors for FI including physiological factors, such as age and gender; comorbidities, such as diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome; and obstetric factors, such as multiple deliveries, home delivery, first vaginal delivery, and forceps delivery. In the initial clinical evaluation of FI, the factors responsible for individual symptoms are gathered from the history and examination of the anorectal region. The evaluation is the basis of all medical treatments for FI, including initial treatment, and also serves as a baseline for deciding the need for a specialized defecation function test and selecting treatment in stages. Following the general physical examination, together with history taking, inspection (including anoscope), and palpation (including digital anorectal and vaginal examination) of the anorectal area, clinicians can focus on the causes of FI. For the clinical evaluation of FI, it is useful to use Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), such as scores and questionnaires, to evaluate the symptomatic severity of FI and its influence over quality of life (QoL).

Caesarean section in the second delivery to prevent anal incontinence after asymptomatic obstetric anal sphincter injury: the EPIC multicentre randomised trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether planned caesarean section (CS) for a second delivery protects against anal incontinence in women with obstetric anal sphincter lesions.

DESIGN

Randomised trial.

SETTING

Six maternity units in the Paris area.

SAMPLE

Women at high risk of sphincter lesions (first delivery with third-degree laceration and/or forceps) but no symptomatic anal incontinence.

METHODS

Endoanal ultrasound was performed in the third trimester of the second pregnancy. Women with sphincter lesions were randomised to planned CS or vaginal delivery (VD).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Anal incontinence at 6 months postpartum. Secondary outcomes were urinary incontinence, sexual morbidity, maternal and neonatal morbidities and worsening of external sphincter lesions.

RESULTS

Anal sphincter lesions were detected by ultrasound in 264/434 women enrolled (60.8%); 112 were randomised to planned VD and 110 to planned CS. At 6-8 weeks after delivery, there was no significant difference in anal continence between the two groups. At 6 months after delivery, median Vaizey scores of anal incontinence were 1 (interquartile range 0-4) in the CS group and 1 (interquartile range 0-3) in the VD group (P = 0.34). There were no significant differences for urinary continence, sexual functions or for other maternal and neonatal morbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with asymptomatic obstetric anal sphincter lesions diagnosed by ultrasound, planning a CS had no significant impact on anal continence 6 months after the second delivery. These results do not support advising systematic CS for this indication.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Caesarean section for the second delivery did not protect against anal incontinence in women with asymptomatic obstetric anal sphincter lesions.

The Long-term Effect of Standardized Anal Dilatation for Chronic Anal Fissure on Anal Continence

PURPOSE

For the past several decades, internal anal sphincterotomy has generally been considered to be the standard operation for an anal fissure. However, wound complications inherent in this operation forced surgeons to look for an alternative form of treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of anal dilatation for chronic anal fissure, especially possible negative impact on anal sphincter function.

METHODS

The study was approved by the local Institutional Review Board and given a waiver of written consent. A phone call survey was undertaken among a group of consecutive patients who had an anal dilatation by standardized technique for chronic anal fissure for the period between 2000 and 2016. The survey included medical, obstetrical and surgical-related data, Wexner fecal incontinence score, recurrence of the anal fissure, and the need for additional medical intervention. Five hundred 48 patients were identified after limitations of age, concomitant pathology, and procedures that were applied to the hospital computerized database. Eighty-five patients (group A) agreed to participate in the survey and 463 patients did not.

RESULTS

There were no differences between groups in demographic information and medical records data; therefore, group A may well represent a satisfactory sample of the whole group. The interval between the procedure and the survey was 6.8 ± 2.7 years. The Wexner incontinence score was 0 in 94% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Anal dilatation, performed in a systematic and standardized way, has a successful outcome with no complications and has no clear long-term negative impact on anal sphincter function.

Rheology of human faeces and pathophysiology of defaecation

BACKGROUND

Rectal evacuation involves multiple mechanisms that are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to quantify the rheologic property, i.e., yield stress, which governs the ease of deformation of a range of faeces of differing consistency and understand its influence on the pathophysiology of defaecation.

METHODS

Yield stresses of faeces of differing consistencies and Bristol scores were determined by the Vane test. We then explored the effects of this property on ease of defecation using a simple static model of the recto-anal junction based on the laws of flow for yield stress pastes and checked the conclusions by X-ray defaecography experience.

RESULTS

The yield stress of faeces increased exponentially with their solid content, from 20 to 8000 Pa. The static model of the recto-anal junction showed that evacuation of faeces of normal consistency and yield stress is possible with moderate dilatation of the anal canal, whilst the evacuation of faeces with higher yield stress requires greater dilatation of the anal canal. X-ray defaecography showed that such increases occurred in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

The diameter of the recto-anal junction is increased to enable the passage of feces with high yield stress. The finite limits to such dilation likely contribute to fecal impaction. Hence, difficulties in defaecation may result either from unduly high yield stress or pathologies of reflex recto-anal dilatation or a combination of the two.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation can improve symptoms and quality of life in selected patients with faecal incontinence - A single-centre 5-year clinical experience

INTRODUCTION

Faecal incontinence is a debilitating condition that affects a significant proportion of the population. Conservative management remains the mainstay of treatment but surgical intervention such as neuromodulation can be indicated in cases refractory to medical therapy.

AIM

The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of patients who underwent percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for faecal incontinence and urgency in a single institution over five years.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients completed the 12-week trial of PTNS with a success rate of 80% (n = 64/81). Rates of faecal incontinence and urgency were reduced from 13 episodes per fortnight to 3 and from 10 to 3 respectively. Over a median follow up of 2 years (range 0-5 years) reduction in rates of faecal urgency and incontinence were maintained. Quality of life parameters were measured using a variety of established questionnaires. Improvements were observed in the majority of parameters that were maintained throughout the follow up period.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is one of the forms of neuromodulation available for the treatment of faecal incontinence and urgency in patients who failed conservative management. This study has shown that in carefully selected, motivated patients, the use of PTNS in conjunction with regular counseling from a specialist practitioner in pelvic floor disorders can improve both the symptoms and quality of life of patients with faecal urgency and mild faecal incontinence with improvements in symptomology maintained for up to 5 years.

Defective Conduction of Anorectal Afferents Is a Very Prevalent Pathophysiological Factor Associated to Fecal Incontinence in Women

Background/Aims

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a prevalent condition among women. While biomechanical motor components have been thoroughly researched, anorectal sensory aspects are less known. We studied the pathophysiology of FI in community-dwelling women, specifically, the conduction through efferent/afferent neural pathways.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 175 women with FI and 19 healthy volunteers. The functional/structural study included anorectal manometry/endoanal ultrasound. Neurophysiological studies including pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) and sensory-evoked-potentials to anal/rectal stimulation (ASEP/RSEP) were conducted on all healthy volunteers and on 2 subgroups of 42 and 38 patients, respectively.

Results

The main conditions associated with FI were childbirth (79.00%) and coloproctological surgery (37.10%). Cleveland score was 11.39 ± 4.09. Anorectal manometry showed external anal sphincter and internal anal sphincter insufficiency in 82.85% and 44.00%, respectively. Sensitivity to rectal distension was impaired in 27.42%. Endoanal ultrasound showed tears in external anal sphincter (60.57%) and internal anal sphincter disruptions (34.80%). Abnormal anorectal sensory conduction was evidenced through ASEP and RSEP in 63.16% and 50.00% of patients, respectively, alongside reduced activation of brain cortex to anorectal stimulation. In contrast, PNTML was delayed in only 33.30%. Stools were loose/very loose in 56.70% of patients.

Conclusions

Pathophysiology of FI in women is mainly associated with mechanical sphincter dysfunctions related to either muscle damage or, to a lesser extent, impaired efferent conduction at pudendal nerves. Impaired conduction through afferent anorectal pathways is also very prevalent in women with FI and may play an important role as a pathophysiological factor and as a potential therapeutic target.

Non-invasive obstetric anal sphincter injury diagnostics using impedance spectroscopy

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries are the most common cause of fecal incontinence in women yet remain under-diagnosed. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of impedance spectroscopy for diagnosing sphincter injuries arising during delivery. This was a prospective single-center study. 22 female patients were included: 10 with symptoms of sphincter dysfunction, in the early postpartum period, and 12 unaffected, in the distant period of more than 2 years after natural delivery. The presence, extent and severity of anal sphincters injury was assessed by measuring the sphincter parameters in physical examination, the degree of sphincter damage in endoanal ultrasound imaging and the sphincters function parameters in anorectal manometry. All measurements were used as references and compared with the outcomes from the impedance spectroscopy models. Impedance spectroscopy showed the highest precision (with mean accuracy of 83.9%) in relation to transanal ultrasonography. 74.1% of its results corresponded to the results of rectal physical examination and 76.7% - to those of anorectal manometry. The method showed the highest accuracy in the assessment of the sphincter's parameters, both anatomically and functionally. New impedance spectroscopy techniques hold promise for detecting obstetric anal sphincter injuries.

Clinical and physiological risk factors for fecal incontinence in chronically constipated women

BACKGROUND

Fecal incontinence (FI) and chronic constipation (CC) are disabling symptoms that cause a significant public health problem. The pathophysiology of combined constipation and FI is not fully understood. Our aim was to delineate the clinical, physiological and anatomical factors that may contribute to the association of FI and CC.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed in a pelvic floor unit in a tertiary medical center. Consecutive female patients diagnosed with CC were included, and further divided into two groups according to the co-occurrence of FI. Demographic characteristics, anorectal physiology (obtained by manometry) and pelvic anatomical pathology (as assessed by dynamic pelvic ultrasound) were recorded and subsequently compared.

RESULTS

A total of 267 women were included in the study. Of those, 62 patients (23%) had an associated FI (CCFI). The CCFI group had higher body mass index (BMI) levels and a trend toward younger average age as compared to the group without FI (CCNFI). The number of vaginal and instrumental deliveries was similar in both groups. Anal resting and squeeze pressures were significantly lower in the CCFI group (64 ± 21 vs 48 ± 18, p = 0.004 and 141 ± 136.2 vs. 97.5 ± 38.6, p = 0.02, respectively). Rectal sensation abnormalities were common, but did not differ between both groups. Dyssynergic defecation and rectocele were more common in the CCNFI group (68% vs. 51%, p = 0.04 and 39% vs. 24%, p = 0/045, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower anal pressures and higher BMI were found among women with coexisting FI and CC. Pelvic floor anatomical and functional abnormalities are common in women diagnosed with CC and FI, but dyssynergia and diagnosis of significant rectocele, which cause obstructed defecation, were more common in the CCNFI group.

Clinical and psychological correlates of soiling in adult patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Fecal soiling (FS) is the staining of underwear without loss of significant amounts of fecal material. It is frequently associated with defecation disorders in children. The aim of this study was to search for psychological and clinical correlates of adult patients with soiling. Clinically, the complaint of staining is confused with that of fecal incontinence (FI) in the mind of both patients and attending physicians.

DESIGN

Observational study PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included 1454 consecutive outpatients (71% females). They filled out the Rome III questionnaire for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs); Beck depression inventory, and state and trait anxiety questionnaires; and Likert scales for constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Soiling was found in 123 patients (8.5%). They reported similar frequencies of esophageal, gastroduodenal, and abdominal pain as patients without soiling. In contrast, patients with soiling reported higher prevalence of IBS, such as IBS-Diarrhea, Mixed-IBS, functional diarrhea, functional constipation, and levator ani syndrome, and higher Likert scale for diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and softer stools. The multivariable logistic regression analysis shows that patients with soiling have increased odds to report IBS (P = 0.019; OR = 1.958; 95% CI = [1.118-3.431]), functional diarrhea (P = 0.040; OR = 1.901; 95% CI = [1.028-3.513]), and high Diarrhea Likert scale (P < 0.001; OR = 1.215; 95% CI = [1.130-1.306]). No association was found with psychological evaluation.

CONCLUSION

In FGID patients, soiling is not associated with psychological disorders and is mainly associated with IBS and functional diarrhea.

Cost-effectiveness of sacral nerve stimulation and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence

BACKGROUND

Subcutaneous sacral nerve stimulation is recommended by the United Kingdom (UK) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a second-line treatment for patients with faecal incontinence who failed conservative therapy. Sacral nerve stimulation is an invasive procedure associated with complications and reoperations. This study aimed to investigate whether delivering less invasive and less costly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation prior to sacral nerve stimulation is cost-effective.

METHODS

A decision analytic model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation with subsequent subcutaneous sacral nerve stimulation versus subcutaneous sacral nerve stimulation alone. The model was populated with effectiveness data from systematic reviews and cost data from randomized studies comparing both procedures in a UK National Health Service (NHS) setting.

RESULTS

Offering percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation prior to sacral nerve stimulation (compared with delivering sacral nerve stimulation straight away) was both more effective and less costly in all modeled scenarios. The estimated savings from offering percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation first were £662-£5,697 per patient. The probability of this strategy being cost-effective was around 80% at £20,000-£30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY).

CONCLUSION

Our analyses suggest that offering patients percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation prior to sacral nerve stimulation can be both cost-effective and cost-saving in the treatment of faecal incontinence.

Assessment, prevention and treatment of faecal incontinence in older people

Faecal incontinence is an impaired ability to control the passage of stool, often described as involuntary loss of solid or liquid stool, and the symptom of an underlying diagnosis. It is a common problem in older adults. Although not a life-threatening condition, it can have a significant negative effect on an individual's quality of life and adverse medical, social and economic consequences. Due to the taboo and stigmatising nature of the condition many individuals do not seek assistance. Healthcare professionals should take every opportunity to ask about faecal incontinence symptoms so that symptomatic relief and treatment interventions can be initiated. There are several conservative approaches available for the treatment of faecal incontinence, which should be considered as first line to target symptomatic relief.

Skeletal muscle-derived cell implantation for the treatment of sphincter-related faecal incontinence

Background

In an earlier pilot study with 10 women, we investigated a new approach for therapy of faecal incontinence (FI) due to obstetric trauma, involving ultrasound-guided injection of autologous skeletal muscle-derived cells (SMDC) into the external anal sphincter (EAS), and observed significant improvement. In the current study, we tested this therapeutic approach in an extended patient group: male and female patients suffering from FI due to EAS damage and/or atrophy. Furthermore, feasibility of lower cell counts and cryo-preserved SMDC was assessed.

Methods

In this single-centre, explorative, baseline-controlled clinical trial, each patient (n = 39; mean age 60.6 ± 13.81 years) received 79.4 ± 22.5 × 10⁶ cryo-preserved autologous SMDC. Changes in FI parameters, Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL), anorectal manometry and safety from baseline to 1, 6 and 12 months post implantation were evaluated.

Results

SMDC used in this trial contained a high percentage of myogenic-expressing (CD56⁺) and muscle stem cell marker-expressing (Pax7⁺, Myf5⁺) cells. Intervention was well tolerated without any serious adverse events. After 12 months, the number of weekly incontinence episodes (WIE, primary variable), FIQL and patient condition had improved significantly. In 80.6% of males and 78.4% of females, the WIE frequency decreased by at least 50%; Wexner scores and severity of FI complaints decreased significantly, independent of gender and cause of FI.

Conclusions

Injection of SMDCs into the EAS effectively improved sphincter-related FI due to EAS damage and/or atrophy in males and females. When confirmed in a larger, placebo-controlled trial, this minimal invasive procedure has the potential to become first-line therapy for FI.

Trial registration

EU Clinical Trials Register, EudraCT 2010-023826-19 (Date of registration: 08.11.2010).

The short-term effects of posterior tibial nerve stimulation on anorectal physiology in patients with faecal incontinence: a single centre experience

BACKGROUND

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a novel treatment for patients with faecal incontinence (FI) and may be effective in selected patients; however, its mechanism of action is unknown. We sought to determine the effects of PTNS on anorectal physiological parameters.

METHODS

Fifty patients with FI underwent 30 min of PTNS treatment, weekly for 12 weeks. High-resolution anorectal manometry, bowel diaries and Vaizey questionnaires were performed before and after treatment. Successful treatment was determined as a greater than 50% reduction in FI episodes.

RESULTS

Fifty patients with FI were studied; 39 women, median age 62 years (range 30-82). Compared with pretreatment, there were reductions in episodes of urgency (16.0 versus 11.4, p = 0.006), overall FI (14.5 versus 9.1, p = 0.001), urge FI (5.4 versus 3.2, p = 0.016) and passive FI (9.1 versus 5.9, p = 0.008). Vaizey score was reduced (16.1 versus 14.5, p = 0.002). Rectal sensory volumes (ml) decreased (onset 40.3 versus 32.6, p = 0.014, call 75.7 versus 57.5, p < 0.001, urge 104.1 versus 87.4, p = 0.004). There was no significant change in anal canal pressures (mmHg) (maximum resting pressure 41.4 versus 44.2, p = 0.39, maximum squeeze pressure, 78.7 versus 88.2, p = 0.15, incremental squeeze pressure 37.2 versus 44.1, p = 0.22). Reduction in FI episodes did not correlate with changes in physiological parameters (p > 0.05). Treatment success of 44% was independent of changes in manometric parameters (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PTNS has a measureable physiological effect on rectal sensory volumes without an effect on anal canal pressures. It also reduces FI episodes; however, this effect is independent of changing physiology, suggesting that PTNS has a complex mechanism of action.

Managing Faecal INcontinence in people with advanced dementia resident in Care Homes (FINCH) study: a realist synthesis of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Eighty per cent of care home residents in the UK are living with dementia. The prevalence of faecal incontinence (FI) in care homes is estimated to range from 30% to 50%. There is limited evidence of what is effective in the reduction and management of FI in care homes.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a theory-driven explanation of the effectiveness of programmes that aim to improve FI in people with advanced dementia in care homes.

DESIGN

A realist synthesis. This was an iterative approach that involved scoping of the literature and consultation with five stakeholder groups, a systematic search and analysis of published and unpublished evidence, and a validation of programme theories with relevant stakeholders.

DATA SOURCES

The databases searched included PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, SocAbs, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, BiblioMap, Sirius, OpenGrey, Social Care Online and the National Research Register.

RESULTS

The scoping identified six programme theories with related context-mechanism-outcome configurations for testing. These addressed (1) clinician-led support, assessment and review, (2) the contribution of teaching and support for care home staff on how to reduce and manage FI, (3) the causes and prevention of constipation, (4) how the cognitive and physical capacity of the resident affect outcomes, (5) how the potential for recovery, reduction and management of FI is understood by those involved and (6) how the care of people living with dementia and FI is integral to the work patterns of the care home and its staff. Data extraction was completed on 62 core papers with iterative searches of linked literature. Dementia was a known risk factor for FI, but its affect on the uptake of different interventions and the dementia-specific continence and toileting skills staff required was not addressed. Most care home residents with FI will be doubly incontinent and, therefore, there is limited value in focusing solely on FI or on single causes of FI such as constipation. Clinical assessment, knowledge of the causes of FI and strategies that recognise the individuals' preferences are necessary contextual factors. Valuing the intimate and personal care work that care home staff provide to people living with dementia and addressing the dementia-related challenges when providing continence care within the daily work routines are key to helping to reduce and manage FI in this population.

LIMITATIONS

The synthesis was constrained by limited evidence specific to FI and people with dementia in care homes and by the lack of dementia-specific evidence on continence aids.

CONCLUSIONS

This realist synthesis provides a theory-driven understanding of the conditions under which improvement in care for care home residents living with dementia and FI is likely to be successful.

FUTURE WORK

Future multicomponent interventions need to take account of how the presence of dementia affects the behaviours and choices of those delivering and receiving continence care within a care home environment.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42014009902.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Nursing management of patients with faecal incontinence

Faecal incontinence is a condition that can develop as a result of age, injury or long-term conditions, and may be associated with significant stigma for those affected. Symptoms of faecal incontinence include leakage of flatus and faeces, and the condition can affect people of any age, although it is most prevalent in older people. Faecal incontinence is a subject that might not be openly discussed by patients and healthcare professionals; therefore, it is important for nurses to be aware of its signs, symptoms, causes and risk factors, so that they can identify patients at high risk. This article provides an overview of faecal incontinence, exploring its causes, psychological effects for patients, and conservative and specialised management measures, as well as the nurse's role in providing treatment and support.

Expert consensus document: Advances in the evaluation of anorectal function

Faecal incontinence and evacuation disorders are common, impair quality of life and incur substantial economic costs worldwide. As symptoms alone are poor predictors of underlying pathophysiology and aetiology, diagnostic tests of anorectal function could facilitate patient management in those cases that are refractory to conservative therapies. In the past decade, several major technological advances have improved our understanding of anorectal structure, coordination and sensorimotor function. This Consensus Statement provides the reader with an appraisal of the current indications, study performance characteristics, clinical utility, strengths and limitations of the most widely available tests of anorectal structure (ultrasonography and MRI) and function (anorectal manometry, neurophysiological investigations, rectal distension techniques and tests of evacuation, including defecography). Additionally, this article provides our consensus on the clinical relevance of these tests.