ABSTRACT
Background/Aims: High-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) measures anal sphincter function and anorectal co-ordination. This study aims to provide normal data for HRAM and evaluate the effect of gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) on anorectal functions in healthy Indian subjects. Methods: HRAM was performed on 93 healthy volunteers using a 20-channel, water-perfused catheter. We evaluated anorectal pressures, rectal sensation, and balloon expulsion time. Measurements were recorded during rest, squeeze, and simulated defecation (push). Results: Median anal resting pressure (88 mmHg vs 94 mmHg, P = NS), anal squeeze pressure (165 mmHg vs 147 mmHg, P = NS) were not significantly different between males and females. Rectal pressure (70 mmHg vs 54 mmHg, P = 0.024) and anal pressure (82 mmHg vs 63 mmHg, P = 0.008) during simulated evacuation without rectal distention, were higher in males. The threshold for the first sensation was lower in females (40 mL vs 30 mL, P = 0.021) but desire to defecate (105 mL vs 90 mL, P = NS) and maximum tolerable volume (160 mL vs 140 mL, P = NS) were not significantly different in males and females. Anal residual pressure (median mmHg 83 vs 71 mmHg, P = 0.025) was higher in subjects < 40 years of age. Maximum anal squeeze pressure (185 mmHg vs 165 mmHg, P = 0.024) and maximum rectal pressure (75 mmHg vs 62 mmHg, P = 0.032) during push higher in BMI < 23 kg/m2. Conclusions: The present study provides normal data for the Indian population that can be used for comparison and further work. Age, gender, and BMI affect anorectal parameters in HRAM and should be considered while reporting.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic progressive cholestatic liver disease of unknown cause, is uncommon in India. The aim of this study was to define the profile and outcomes of patients with PSC in a tertiary centre from western India. METHODS: A retrospective study of the prospectively maintained liver clinic database was searched for cases of PSC between January 2008 and December 2017 with minimum 6 months follow up. All cases were reviewed for clinical profile, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) co-morbidity and major endpoints like death, cholangiocarcinoma and liver transplantation (LT). RESULTS: We identified 28 (18 men) patients with PSC (19, 67% large-duct and 9, 33% small-duct) with a median age of 31.5 years (range 7-63 years) with median duration of follow up of 24 months (6-125 months). Six (21.4%) had autoimmune hepatitis (AIH-PSC) overlap. Inflammatory bowel disease was seen in 12 (43%) cases, all were ulcerative colitis (UC). During follow up, seven patients (25%) developed dominant stricture or recurrent cholangitis, 11 (39%) had portal hypertension, 2 (7%) developed cholangiocarcinoma and 5 (17.8%) progressed to hepatic decompensation on follow up. Ten (35%) patients died, 5 from liver-related complications, 2 from cholangiocarcinoma, 1 each from brain hemorrhage and systemic sepsis and 1 due to unknown cause; 3 underwent liver transplantation. Revised Mayo score of patients who survived was lower than those who died (1.03 vs. 1.86, p value 0.03). CONCLUSION: PSC commonly presents in young age and rapidly progresses to decompensation. Prevalence of IBD in PSC is lower and the proportion of small-duct PSC is higher than that observed in western populations.
