Dyssynergic Defecation Concerning Proctalgia Fugax: An Observational Study

Introduction: There is no clarity about manometric findings in patients with proctalgia fugax; evidence shows different results. This study aims to evaluate dyssynergic defecation through anorectal manometry in Colombian patients in two gastroenterology centers in Bogotá, Colombia. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study in adult patients with proctalgia fugax undergoing anorectal manometry and treated in two gastroenterology centers in Bogotá between 2018 and 2020. Results: 316 patients were included, predominantly women (65%), with a median age of 45.2 (range: 18-78; standard deviation [SD]: 28.3). Four percent of patients had hypertonicity, 50% were normotonic, and 46% were hypotonic. Regarding manometric parameters, 50% had normal pressure, and 46% had anal sphincter hypotonia; 76% had a normal voluntary contraction test. Dyssynergic defecation was documented in 5% of patients, and the most frequent was type I, followed by type III. A rectoanal inhibitory reflex was identified in all patients, 42% with altered sensory threshold and 70% with abnormal balloon expulsion. There was an agreement between the results of the anorectal manometry and the subjective report of the digital rectal exam by the head nurse who performed the procedure. Conclusions: The data obtained in the present study suggest that proctalgia is not related to the elevated and sustained basal contracture of the sphincter but neither to the alteration in voluntary contraction since most patients have typical values.

Introducción: Actualmente, no hay claridad acerca de los hallazgos manométricos en pacientes con proctalgia fugaz, y la evidencia muestra diferentes resultados. Se plantea como objetivo en el presente estudio evaluar la presencia de disinergia defecatoria con manometría anorrectal en pacientes colombianos en dos centros de gastroenterología en Bogotá, Colombia. Metodología: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal en pacientes adultos sometidos a manometría anorrectal con proctalgia fugaz y atendidos en dos centros de gastroenterología de la ciudad de Bogotá entre el 2018 y el 2020. Resultados: Se incluyó a 316 pacientes, predominantemente mujeres (65%), con mediana de edad 45,2 (rango: 18-78; desviación estándar [DE]: 28,3). El 4% de los pacientes presentaban hipertonicidad, el 50% eran normotónicos y el 46%, hipotónicos. En cuanto a parámetros manométricos, el 50% tenía presión normal y el 46%, hipotonía de esfínter anal. El 76% tuvo una prueba de contracción voluntaria normal. En 5% pacientes se documentó disinergia defecatoria, y la más frecuente fue el tipo I, seguido del tipo III. En todos los pacientes se identificó reflejo recto anal inhibitorio, 42% con alteración en umbral sensitivo y 70% con expulsión de balón anormal, y hubo concordancia entre los resultados de la manometría anorrectal y el reporte subjetivo del tacto rectal de la jefe de enfermería que realizó el procedimiento. Conclusiones: Los datos obtenidos en el presente estudio sugieren que la proctalgia no está relacionada con la contractura basal elevada y sostenida del esfínter, pero tampoco con la alteración en la contracción voluntaria, ya que la mayoría de los pacientes presentan valores normales.

The diagnostic value of different methods for detecting constipation with defecation disorder based on Roman Ⅳ criteria / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To study the diagnostic value of balloon expulsion test, anorectal manometry, and colonic transit test for detecting constipation with defecation disorders. 【Methods】 Outpatients with functional constipation were retrospectively analyzed and classified into dyssynergic defecation constipation and non-dyssynergic defecation constipation according to the Rome Ⅳ diagnostic criteria. We studied the differences in symptomatological characteristics and results of the three testing methods between the two groups of patients. 【Results】 Among the 48 patients with functional constipation included, there were 13 males (27.1%) and 35 females (72.9%) with an age of (44.8±12.3) years, including 32 patients (66.7%) with defecation disorder and 16 patients (33.3%) with non-defecation disorder. The percentage of anal distension was significantly higher in patients with dyssynergic defecation constipation than in those with non-dyssynergic defecation constipation (34.4% vs. 0.0%, P=0.021). All the three tests had diagnostic value for dyssynergic defecation constipation, but with low diagnostic agreement between the results of each test. The diagnostic sensitivity of anorectal manometry was 100%, but the specificity (56.3%) was low, and both the positive predictive value (82.1%) and the negative predictive value (100%) were higher; the diagnostic sensitivity (75.0%) and specificity (81.3%) of the balloon expulsion test were both higher. The Youden index of colonic transit test was the smallest. The anal resting pressure and maximum systolic pressure of dyssynergic defecation constipation were lower than those of non-dyssynergic defecation constipation (75.2 mmHg vs. 97.1 mmHg, 168.7 mmHg vs. 251.6 mmHg). The two types of constipation did not significantly differ in anorectal pressure gradients during simulated defecation or rectal sensory function. 【Conclusion】 The balloon expulsion test can be used as a primary screening test for constipation with defecation disorders, and anorectal manometry has the highest comprehensive diagnostic value, but there is a certain false positive rate, and the colonic transit test has the lowest diagnostic efficacy. Thus a comprehensive analysis of the patient’s symptoms and the results of different tests is needed in clinical practice.

Cómo realizar e interpretar una manometría anorrectal de alta resolución / How to perform and interpret high resolution anorectal manometry

Resumen La manometría anorrectal es la técnica más utilizada para evaluar la función anorrectal y así detectar las anormalidades funcionales del esfínter anal y de coordinación anorrectal. En nuestro laboratorio de fisiología realizamos aproximadamente 15 estudios de manometría anorrectal de alta resolución a la semana, por lo que consideramos que es de vital importancia realizarlo de forma adecuada y tener una correcta interpretación. Mediante este artículo deseamos compartir nuestro protocolo de realización de manometría anorrectal de alta resolución con base en la literatura más relevante.

Abstract Anorectal manometry is the most commonly used technique to evaluate anorectal functioning and coordination and detect functional abnormalities of the anal sphincter. In our physiology laboratory we perform approximately 15 high resolution anorectal manometry studies each week. We consider that proper performance and correct interpretation are vitally important. We want to share our high resolution anorectal manometry protocol based on the most relevant literature through this article.

Morphological characteristic of anal canal in patients with dyssynergic defecation and its correlation with anorectal manometry / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the diagnostic value of three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) for dyssynergic defecation (DD).@*Methods@#A case-control study was performed to retrospectively collectclinical data of 46 DD patients, including 16 males and 30 females with median age of 51 (20 to 70) years, at Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine from February 2012 to April 2015.All the patients met the diagnostic criteria of functional constipation of Rome III. The paradoxical contraction of puborectalis (PR) muscle was found by both rectal examination and anorectal manometry. In the same period,45 healthy volunteers, including 22 males and 23 females with median age of 48 (21 to 72) years, without pelvic operation history, and with normal defecation in recent 6 months, were enrolled as the control group. No significant differences were observed in age and gender between two groups (both P>0.05). Cleveland constipation score of DD group was higher than that of control group [15(8-24) vs. 5(1-9), t=15.720, P<0.001]. 3D-EAUS examination was performed in all the subjects. Thickness and length of internal anal sphincter (IAS) (anterior side and posterior side), thickness of PR muscle, length of external anal sphincter (EAS) plus PR muscle, and puborectalis angle were measured and compared by using student t test between two groups. Correlation between these ultrasound parameters and anorectal manometry was examined by Pearson correlation analysis.@*Results@#Both male and female in the DD group had the greater thickness of IAS, as compared to those in the control group [male: (1.7±0.5) mm vs.(1.5±0.2) mm, t=2.516, P=0.016; female: (1.9±0.4) mm vs.(1.6±0.5) mm, t=2.034,P=0.047]. No significant differences between the two groups were observed with respect to the posterior length of IAS, length of EAS plus PR muscle, and thickness of PR muscle (all P>0.05). Compared to the control group, male in the DD group had smaller puborectalis angle during straining [(87.0±3.6)° vs. (90.5±1.8)°,t=3.502,P=0.002];female in the DD group had smaller puborectalis angle both in resting and straining [resting:(86.5±3.8)° vs. (90.1±2.1)°,t=4.047, P<0.001;straining: (84.1±4.5)° vs. (90.2±2.3)°, t=5.938, P<0.001]. Correlation analysis showed that anterior length of IAS was positively correlated with anal resting pressure (r=0.321, P=0.030); the length of EAS plus PR muscle was positively correlated with anal squeeze pressure (r=0.415, P=0.004). There were no correlations between the thickness and the posterior length of IAS and the anal resting pressure, or between the thickness of PR muscle and the anal squeeze pressure (all P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#The 3D-EAUS can accurately assess the morphological features of anal canal in DD patients. There is a certain positive correlation between 3D-EAUS and anorectal manometry.

Conceptos actuales de patología anorrectal funcional / Current concepts in functional anorectal disorders

The purpose of the present article is to highlight relevant aspects of anorectal pathology, mainly fiber resistant constipation, fecal incontinence and fecal soiling. A high percentage of patients with fiber resistant constipation correspond to dyssynergic defecation cases. In addition, most patients with dyssinergia and slow colonic transit return to normal after correction of the dyssyinergic condition. For these reasons, the current recommendation is to consider the evaluation of dyssynergic defecation as the initial diagnostic approach in patients with laxative-resistant constipation. Rectal hyposensitivity is an important pathophysiological mechanism involved in both constipation and fecal incontinence. About 80% of fecal incontinence cases present multiple pathological mechanisms, including sphincter insufficiency, rectal hyposensitivity, poor rectal emptying and impaired rectal compliance. Soling and seepage are usually in the context of poor rectal emptying and not in the context of sphincter insufficiency.

El siguiente artículo pretende destacar aspectos relevantes en patología anorrectal funcional, principalmente constipación resistente a fibra, incontinencia fecal y ensuciamiento. Entre los pacientes con constipación resistente a fibra, un alto porcentaje corresponde a defecación disinérgica. Además, la mayoría de los pacientes con defecación disinérgica y tránsito colónico enlentecido normalizan el tránsito tras mejoría de la disinergia. Por estos motivos, la recomendación actual es la evaluación de defecación disinérgica como primera estrategia diagnóstica en los pacientes con constipación refractaria a laxantes. La hiposensibilidad rectal es un mecanismo importante en casos de constipación e incontinencia fecal. Alrededor de 80% de los casos de incontinencia fecal tienen múltiples mecanismos descritos, incluyendo insuficiencia esfinteriana, hiposensibilidad rectal, mal vaciamiento rectal y alteraciones de la complianza rectal. El ensuciamiento suele estar en el contexto de mal vaciamiento rectal y no en el contexto de insuficiencia esfinteriana.

Technique of Functional and Motility Test: How to Perform Biofeedback for Constipation and Fecal Incontinence

Biofeedback therapy is an instrument-based learning process centered on operant conditioning. The goal of biofeedback therapy in defecatory disorders is to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, retrain rectal sensation and coordinate pelvic floor muscles during evacuation. Biofeedback therapy, in a broader sense, includes education, counseling, and diaphragmatic muscle training as well as exercise, sensory, and coordination training. For dyssynergic defecation, biofeedback therapy is a well-known and useful treatment option that had response rates of approximately 70-80% in randomized controlled trials. Biofeedback therapy for dyssynergic defecation consists of improving the abdominal push effort together with biofeedback technique-guided pelvic floor relaxation followed by simulated defecation and/or sensory training. For fecal incontinence, the results of a randomized controlled trial, which had a response rate of 76%, indicated that biofeedback therapy is useful in selected patients who fail to respond to conservative treatment and that training to enhance rectal discrimination of sensation may be helpful in reducing fecal incontinence. The focus of biofeedback therapy for fecal incontinence is on exercising external sphincter contractions under instant feedback, either alone or synchronously with rectal distension and/or sensory training. Biofeedback therapy is a safe treatment that may produce durable improvement beyond the active treatment period; however, a well-designed study to establish a standard protocol for biofeedback therapy is needed. This review discusses the technique of biofeedback therapy to achieve the goal and clinical outcomes for constipation and fecal incontinence.

Manejo del paciente con constipación / Managing the constipated patient

El estreñimiento es un problema común. La mayoría de las personas resolverá el problema por si mismo, sin embargo hay un porcentaje que no lo logran y requieren de ayuda médica. Sigue siendo un reto para el médico seleccionar quienes se beneficiarán de estudios para excluir enfermedad orgánica, de estudios específicos para evaluar el mecanismo fisiopatológico implicado, y cuál es el mejor tratamiento para cada paciente. En este capítulo se revisan los aspectos más relevantes para el manejo de pacientes con estreñimiento funcional.

Constipation is a common problem. Most people solve the problem by itself, but there is a percentage who do not succeed and require medical help. It remains a challenge for the physician to select those who will benefit from studies to exclude organic disease, specific studies to evaluate the physiological mechanism involved, and what is the best treatment for each patient. In this chapter we review the most relevant aspects for the management of patients with functional constipation.

Biofeedback treatment in chronically constipated patients with dyssynergic defecation / Biofeedback aplicado al tratamiento de pacientes con estreñimiento crónico debido a defecación disinérgica

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of electromyographic biofeedback training in chronically constipated patients with dyssynergic defecation. With this purpose, ten patients (4 males, 6 females) with dyssynergic defecation unresponsive to dietary corrections and fibre supplements were selected and enclosed in the study on the basis of fulfilled the Rome III criteria for this functional gastrointestinal disorder. The study was carried out following a series of defined phases: clinical and psychophysiological assessment prior to the treatment (4 weeks), EMG-biofeedback treatment (8 sessions, two per week) and follow-up (4 weeks) one month later. In all phases, four clinical variables were assessed through selfmonitoring (frequency of defecations per week, sensation of incomplete evacuation, difficulty evacuation level, and perianal pain at defecation); moreover, psychophysiological measures were obtained through electromyography (EMG) of the external anal sphincter. Results show significant improvements in psychophysiological measures (EMGactivity during straining to defecate and anismus index), as well as in clinical variables. Biofeedback's benefits were maintained at the follow-up period.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos del entrenamiento en biofeedback-EMG en pacientes con estreñimiento crónico debido a defecación disinérgica. Con este propósito, 10 pacientes (4 varones, 6 mujeres) con defecación disinérgica que no respondían a correcciones dietéticas y suplementos de fibra, fueron seleccionados e incluidos en el estudio sobre la base de cumplir los criterios Roma III para el diagnóstico de este trastorno funcional gastrointestinal. El estudio se llevó a cabo a lo largo de una serie de fases definidas: evaluación psicofisiológica y clínica previa al tratamiento (4 semanas), tratamiento por medio de biofeedback-EMG (8 sesiones, a razón de dos sesiones semanales) y seguimiento (4 semanas) un mes más tarde. En todas las fases, cuatro variables clínicas fueron evaluadas a través de autorregistro (frecuencia de defecaciones semanales, sensación de evacuación incompleta, nivel de dificultad de la evacuación y dolor perianal en la defecación); además, se obtuvieron medidas psicofisiológicas a través de electromiografía (EMG) del esfínter anal externo. Los resultados muestran mejoras significativas en las medidas psicofisiológicas (actividad-EMG durante el esfuerzo para defecar e índice de anismus), así como en las variables clínicas. Los beneficios del biofeedback se mantuvieron en el período de seguimiento.

Pathophysiology and Diagnosis of Constipation / 대한내과학회지

Constipation is a common symptom affecting approximately a quarter of population in Korea. To diagnose its etiology and to exclude the other organic or structural causes, many tests including digital rectal exam, laboratory tests, image studies, and physiologic studies are needed. Moreover, through these tests, the exact pathophysiology of constipation can be defined and used in the treatment of patients. Therefore, collaborative studies are necessary to determine the pathophysiology of this disorder.

Predictive Capability of Anorectal Physiologic Tests for Unfavorable Outcomes Following Biofeedback Therapy in Dyssynergic Defecation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the predictive capability of anorectal physiologic tests for unfavorable outcomes prior to the initiation of biofeedback therapy in patients with dyssynergic defecation. We analyzed a total of 80 consecutive patients who received biofeedback therapy for chronic idiopathic functional constipation with dyssynergic defecation. After classifying the patients into two groups (responders and non-responders), univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors associated with the responsiveness to biofeedback therapy. Of the 80 patients, 63 (78.7%) responded to biofeedback therapy and 17 (21.3%) did not. On univariate analysis, the inability to evacuate an intrarectal balloon (P=0.028), higher rectal volume for first, urgent, and maximal sensation (P=0.023, P=0.008, P=0.007, respectively), and increased anorectal angle during squeeze (P=0.020) were associated with poor outcomes. On multivariate analysis, the inability to evacuate an intrarectal balloon (P=0.018) and increased anorectal angle during squeeze (P=0.029) were both found to be independently associated with a lack of response to biofeedback therapy. Our data show that the two anorectal physiologic test factors are associated with poor response to biofeedback therapy for patients with dyssynergic defecation. These findings may assist physicians in predicting the responsiveness to therapy for this patient population.

Terapia de biorretroalimentación en la disfunción anorrectal: una solución posible / Biofeedback therapy for outlet dysfunction: eventually the light at the end of the tunnel

La constipación es un síntoma frecuente. La mayoría de los pacientes responden a medidas conservadoras. Entre los que no responden el subtipo más frecuente es la disfunción anorrectal, que se refiere a la evacuación incompleta de la materia fecal del recto debido a la contracción paradójica o a la falta de relajación de los músculos del piso pelviano durante el esfuerzo, la denominada defecación disinérgica. Se la considera un trastorno del comportamiento, dado que no se ha observado ninguna enfermedad orgánica relacionada. Se ha recomendado el tratamiento de biorretroalimentación, que involucra un procedimiento dedicado a enseñar a los pacientes cómo relajar los músculos del piso pelviano y mejorar los empujes cuando se intenta defecar. Algunos ensayos no controlados habían sugerido que la biorretroalimentación era beneficiosa en la defecación disinérgica tanto en niños como en adultos. Recientemente se publicaron tres ensayos controlados aleatorizados en adultos, que proporcionaron resultados concordantes. Se demostró consistentemente que es un tratamiento eficaz y específico para la defecación disinérgica. Se demostró que el re entrenamiento es mucho más eficaz que el macrogol, el diazepam (relajante del músculo esquelético) y los procedimientos de relajación simulados en la constipación secundaria a defecación disinérgica. Hemos obtenido pruebas inequívocas de que la terapia de biorretroalimentación es el tratamiento de elección en la defecación disinérgica de los adultos constipados.

Constipation is a commonly reported symptom. Mostpatients respond to conservative measures. Among nonresponders,outlet dysfunction is the most commonsubtype. It refers to incomplete evacuation of fecal materialfrom the rectum due to paradoxical contraction orfailure to relax the pelvic floor muscles when straining,the so-called dyssynergic defecation. It is considered abehavioral disorder, since no related organic disease hasbeen evidenced. Biofeedback treatment has been recommended. Biofeedback involves use of dedicatedmachinery to teach patients how to relax the pelvic floormuscles and to improve pushing effort when strainingto defecate. A number of uncontrolled trials hadsuggested biofeedback to be beneficial in dyssynergicdefecation both in children and in adults. This has notbeen confirmed by controlled randomized trials inchildren. In adults, three randomized controlled trials havebeen recently published giving concordant results. Biofeedback has been consistently shown to be an effective and specific therapy for dyssynergic defecation. Retraining has been shown to be significantly more effective than macrogol, diazepam (skeletal musclerelaxant), and sham relaxation procedures in constipation secondary to dyssynergic defecation. We have gainedunequivocal evidence that biofeedback therapy is the treatment of choice for dyssynergic defecation inconstipated adults.