ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: obstructed defecation is one of the most common subtypes of constipation, and it is frequently responsive to biofeedback treatment. AIMS: since a history of sexual and physical abuse may be present in patients with obstructed defecation, we assessed the incidence of abuse history in patients with obstructed defecation referred to a general gastroenterology practice, and whether such a history may lead to a different outcome of biofeedback training in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: one hundred and twenty-one patients (17 men, 104 women, age 53 +/- 15 years) with obstructed defecation were studied by retrospective chart review. Their history of sexual, physical and psychological abuse was obtained by a standard interview, and biofeedback training was carried out by means of a three-balloon technique. RESULTS: a history of sexual/physical or psychological abuse was present in 12.4% patients. Biofeedback training yielded a successful improvement of obstructed defecation in 93% patients without abuse and in 100% of patients with abuse; this difference was not statistically different (p = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of sexual/physical or psychological abuse in a population of patients with obstructed defecation referred to a general gastroenterology practice is relatively low; such a history seems not to affect the outcome of biofeedback training in these patients.
Subject(s)
Biofeedback, Psychology , Constipation/etiology , Constipation/therapy , Sex Offenses , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Background: obstructed defecation is one of the most commonsubtypes of constipation, and it is frequently responsive tobiofeedback treatment.Aims: since a history of sexual and physical abuse may be presentin patients with obstructed defecation, we assessed the incidenceof abuse history in patients with obstructed defecation referredto a general gastroenterology practice, and whether such ahistory may lead to a different outcome of biofeedback training inthese patients.Patients and methods: one hundred and twenty-one patients(17 men, 104 women, age 53 ± 15 years) with obstructeddefecation were studied by retrospective chart review. Their historyof sexual, physical and psychological abuse was obtained by astandard interview, and biofeedback training was carried out bymeans of a three-balloon technique.Results: a history of sexual/physical or psychological abusewas present in 12.4% patients. Biofeedback training yielded asuccessful improvement of obstructed defecation in 93% patientswithout abuse and in 100% of patients with abuse; this differencewas not statistically different (p = 0.53).Conclusions: the prevalence of sexual/physical or psychologicalabuse in a population of patients with obstructed defecationreferred to a general gastroenterology practice is relatively low;such a history seems not to affect the outcome of biofeedbacktraining in these patients(AU)
