Physiotherapeutic approaches to treat anal incontinence in women after obstetric trauma

Introduction: Anal incontinence is defined as the loss of voluntary control of fecal matter or gases with a recurrence period longer than 3 months in individuals aged ≥ 4 years; it has a female predominance. Among the treatment modalities is pelvic physiotherapy, the second line of treatment, which promotes the reeducation, coordination, and strengthening of the muscles of the pelvic floor to enable patients to return to their regular activities of daily living. Objective: To perform a systematic review on the physiotherapeutic treatments used in women between the ages of 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of anal incontinence. Material and methods Clinical studies written in Portuguese, Spanish and English were searched on the the following databases: Science Direct, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline) via PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Scopus. Results: Of the 998 articles found, only 4 studies met the inclusion criteria of the present systematic review. The physiotherapeutic approaches to treat women with anal incontinence are biofeedback, Kegel exercises, electrostimulation, and training of the pelvic floor muscles. The average score on the PEDro scale was of 6.25, which indicates that the methodological quality was good. Conclusion: Although pelvic physiotherapy is effective to treat anal incontinence, it must be promoted through the performance of evidence-based scientific research. (AU)

Resultados a largo plazo de la rehabilitación del piso pélvico en pacientes con incontinencia fecal / Long-term results of pelvic floor rehabilitation in patients with fecal incontinence

Resumen Introducción: La rehabilitación del piso pélvico es frecuentemente indicada a los pacientes con incontinencia fecal. Su efectividad a corto plazo ha sido demostrada. Sin embargo, sus resultados en el largo plazo son controversiales. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo es evaluar los resultados funcionales y calidad de vida a largo plazo de los pacientes con incontinencia fecal tratados mediante rehabilitación del piso pélvico. Materiales y Método: Estudio cuasi-experimental. Se incluyeron los pacientes con incontinencia fecal tratados mediante rehabilitación del piso pélvico entre 2007-2014 en nuestro centro, sin necesidad de cirugía. Se midió el puntaje funcional de Wexner y de calidad de vida (FIQLS) antes (T1) y después del tratamiento (T2). Se realizó encuesta vía correo electrónico para obtener dichos puntajes entre 3-10 años posterior al tratamiento (T3). Resultados: De 215 pacientes, 182 cumplían criterios de inclusión. 96 (52,8%) de ellos respondieron la encuesta en T3. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 4,5 (3-10) años. La edad promedio al tiempo del estudio fue de 60,8 ±13,1 años. 88,4% fueron mujeres. La mediana del puntaje funcional fue 16 (6-20) en T1 y 7 (0-18) en T2, p = 0,000. La calidad de vida mejoró significativamente en sus 4 dimensiones entre T1 y T2. En T3, ambos puntajes presentaron mejores promedios que en T1, p = 0,000. No hubo asociación entre el tiempo de seguimiento y el resultado funcional en T3. Conclusión: Los pacientes con incontinencia fecal tratados mediante rehabilitación del piso pélvico mejoran significativamente su funcionalidad y calidad de vida. El beneficio disminuye en el tiempo, pero persiste mejor que previo al tratamiento.

Introduction: Pelvic floor rehabilitation is often indicated as first-line therapy for patients with fecal incontinence. Its short-term effectiveness has been demonstrated in these patients. However, long-term results are controversial. Aim: Our objective is to evalúate long-term functionality and quality of life in patients with fecal incontinence treated with pelvic floor rehabilitation. Materials and Method: Quasi- experimental study conducted at a single tertiary care center. We included patients with fecal incontinence treated by pelvic floor rehabilitation at our center between 2007-2014 who did not require surgery. Wexner functional score and quality of life using FIQLS were measured pre (T1) and post-treatment (T2). Poste - riorly, an-e-mail survey was conducted to retrieve scores three to 10 years after treatment (T3). Results: Of the 215 patients, 182 met the inclusion criteria. 96 (52.8%) patients responded at T3 and were therefore included. The median follow-up period was of 4.5 years (3-10). The mean age at the time of the study was 60.8 ± 13.1 years and 88.4% were women. The median Wexner score was 16 (6-20) in T1 and 7 (0-18) in T2, (p = 0.000). Quality of life improved significantly in its four dimensions when comparing T1 and T2. In T3, Wexner and the quality of life scores were significantly lower than T2. However, in T3, both scales had better means than T1, (p = 0.000). There was no association between the follow-up time and the functional result in T3. Conclusions: Patients with fecal incontinence treated by pelvic floor rehabilitation improve their functionality and quality of life significantly. This benefit decreases over time but remains above its baseline.

Constipação com obstrução à saída e incontinência fecal: o tratamento de reabilitação é o caminho? Mito ou realidade / Outlet obstructed constipation and fecal incontinence: is rehabilitation treatment the way? myth or reality

ABSTRACT Pelvic floor rehabilitation aims to address perineal functional and anatomic alterations as well as thoraco-abdominal mechanic dysfunctions leading to procto-urologic diseases like constipation, fecal and urinary incontinence, and pelvic pain. They require a multidimensional approach, with a significant impact on patients quality of life. An exhaustive clinical and instrumental protocol to assess defecation disorders should include clinical and instrumental evaluation as well as several clinical/physiatric parameters. All these parameters must be considered in order to recognize and define any potential factor playing a role in the functional aspects of incontinence, constipation and pelvic pain. After such evaluation, having precisely identified any thoraco-abdomino-perineal anatomic and functional alterations, a pelvi-perineal rehabilitation program can be carried out to correct the abovementioned alterations and to obtain clinical improvement. The success of the rehabilitative process is linked to several factors such as a careful evaluation of the patient, aimed to select the most appropriate and specific targeted rehabilitative therapy, the therapist's scrupulous hard work, especially as regards the patient's emotional and psychic state, and finally the patient's compliance in undertaking the therapy itself, especially at home. These factors may deeply influence the overall outcomes of the rehabilitative therapies, ranging from "real" success to illusion "myth".

RESUMO A reabilitação do assoalho pélvico visa abordar alterações funcionais e anatômicas perineais, bem como disfunções mecânicas torácicas-abdominais que levam a doenças procto-urológicas como prisão de ventre, incontinência fecal e urinária e dor pélvica. Requerem uma abordagem multidimensional, com impacto significativo na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Um protocolo clínico e instrumental exaustivo para avaliar os transtornos de defecação deve incluir avaliação clínica e instrumental, bem como diversos parâmetros clínicos/fisiátricos. Todos esses parâmetros devem ser considerados para reconhecer e definir qualquer fator potencial desempenhando um papel nos aspectos funcionais da incontinência, prisão de ventre e dor pélvica. Após tal avaliação, tendo identificado com precisão quaisquer alterações anatômicas e funcionais tóraco-abdomino-perineais, um programa de reabilitação pelvi-perineal pode ser realizado para corrigir as alterações acima mencionadas e obter melhora clínica. O sucesso do processo de reabilitação está ligado a diversos fatores, como uma avaliação cuidadosa do paciente, visando selecionar a terapia de reabilitação direcionada mais adequada e específica, além do trabalho árduo e escrupuloso do terapeuta, especialmente no que diz respeito ao estado emocional e psíquico do paciente e, finalmente, a conformidade do paciente em realizar a terapia em si, especialmente em casa. Esses fatores podem influenciar profundamente os resultados globais das terapias de reabilitação, que vão desde o sucesso "real" até o "mito" ilusório.

Rehabilitación pelviperineal multimodal en pacientes con incontinencia fecal / Multimodal pelviperineal rehabilitation in patients with fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence (FI) is associated with low self-esteem and quality of life. Nowadays, multimodal pelviperineal rehabilitation (MPPR) has become the preferred treatment. Purpose: To evaluate our results of multimodal pelviperineal rehabilitation (MPPR) in patients diagnosed with fecal incontinence (FI). Methods: Historic cohort study using a prospectively maintained database from patients with FI that underwent MPPR between years 1999 and 2012. FI was classified according to Jorge-Wexner´s scale, at the beginning (Winitial) and the end (Wfinal) of treatment. In July 2013 a survey was carried out to measure follow-up Wexner score (Wfollow-up) and pelvic muscle training. Statystical analysis was performed using Chi square test, Fisher Test, Mann-Whitney and Odds Ratio. Significant p value < 0.05. Results: One hundred and thirteen patients completed treatment, median age 67 years-old (r: 24-91) and 83 percent female. Median scores for Winitial and Wfinal were 9 points (r: 3-19) and 3 points (r: 0-13), respectively (p < 0.001). In July 2013, 68 (61 percent) patients were available for follow-up. Wexner score at the beginning, end and follow-up were as follows: 9 (i: 3-19), 3 (i:0-12) and 4 (i:0-19), respectively. There were significant differences between Winitial and Wfollow-up (p < 0.001), but not between Wfinal and Wfollow-up (p = 0.23). There were 20 patients (29 percent) who kept training their pelvic muscles and 48 (71 percent) who did it very rarely or did not do it at all. It was the latter group who showed an increased risk to obtain worst score in Wfollow-up (OR = 3.89; CI 95 percent: 1.26-11.9; p = 0.0175). Conclusion: FI patients treated with MPPR show good short and long-term results.

Introducción: La incontinencia fecal (IF) se asocia a menor calidad de vida en quienes la sufren. Actualmente, la rehabilitación pelviperineal multimodal (RPPM) es el tratamiento inicial de elección. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de la RPPM en pacientes con IF. Método: Estudio de cohorte histórica de pacientes con IF que recibieron RPPM entre 1999-2012. Se utilizó la escala de Jorge-Wexner para medir laIF, al inicio (Wi) y fin (Wf) del tratamiento. Se aplicó una encuesta en julio de 2013 para medir el Wexner de seguimiento (Ws) y mantención de ejercicios terapéuticos. Análisis estadístico: prueba de c2, prueba exacta de Fisher, Mann-Whitney y Odds Ratio. Significancia estadística p < 0,05. Resultados: Hubo 113 pacientes que completaron el tratamiento. La mediana de edad fue 67 años (i: 24-91) y 83 porciento género femenino. La mediana de Wi fue de 9 puntos (i: 3-19) y la mediana de Wf fue de 3 puntos (i: 0-13) (p < 0,001). Se logró contactar a 68 pacientes para el seguimiento, en ellos la mediana del puntaje de Wi, Wf y Wsfue de 9 (i: 3-19), 3 (i:0-12) y 4 (i:0-19), respectivamente. Hubo diferencia significativa entre Wi y Ws (p < 0,001), pero no entre Wf y Ws (p = 0,23). Veinte pacientes (29 por ciento) realizaron ejercicios terapéuticos regularmente y 48 (71 por ciento) nunca o raramente; este último grupo es factor de riesgo para obtener peores resultados (OR = 3,89; CI 95 porciento: 1,26-11,9; p = 0,0175). Conclusión: El tratamiento con RPPM en pacientes con IF tiene buenos resultados a corto y largo plazo.

Ressonância magnética: seu valor no tratamento da incontinência fecal / Magnetic resonance imaging: it`s role in the fecal incontinence treatment

Dezessete pacientes portadores de anomalias pelve-perineais e incontinência fecal foram estudados por meio da ressonância magnética (RM), para definir possível correçäo cirúrgica da incontinência fecal. 14 eram portadores de malformaçäo ano-retal, sendo 13 pós-abaixamento de cólon por várias técnicas e um após ano-retoplastia sagital posterior (ARPSP), - 2 eram portadores de trauma perineal e 1, portador de síndrome de Fournier. 2 eram controles normais. Maior ênfase foi dada à musculatura pelve-perineal (músculo elevador, complexo muscular perineal e fibras parassagitais), e sua relaçäo com o canal reto-anal, anatomia sacral e do filum terminal. Em 5 pacientes foi indicado tratamento cirúrgico (ARPSP), por apresentarem : 1) musculatura pelve-perineal bem desenvolvida; 2) canal ano-retal fora de seu posicionamento adequado; 3) anatomia sacral normal. 12 pacientes continuaram com tratamento clínico, pois näo se enquadravam nesses critérios, e aqueles que foram operados mostram acentuada melhora da continência fecal. Concluiu-se que a RM pode definir as estruturas anatômicas que permitem indicar o tratamento cirúrgico, com melhora acentuada da continência fecal