Does correlation exist between anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasound findings in healthy subjects according to age?

BACKGROUND: different studies have demonstrated the correlation between anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasonography data in patients with fecal incontinence, but there is no almost interest describing the same in healthy subjects according to age. AIMS: to study the possible correlation between anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasonography data in a homogeneous group of healthy women, also according to age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: prospective observational study of a healthy subjects cohort (n=14). Homogeneous group of healthy volunteer women divided in 2 subgroups according to age. RESULTS: there was no proved correlation between the internal anal sphincter's measurement and the resting pressure in the whole sample as well as the analysis according to age. Neither there was any proved statistically significant correlation between the external anal sphincter´s thickness and the squeeze pressure, in the whole sample and by groups. CONCLUSIONS: it does not exist statistically significant correlation between the thickness of the sphincters and its function in a healthy subjects homogeneous group, neither in 2 groups according to age.

Characteristics of primary care processes for the treatment of faecal incontinence in an urban area.

AIM: In this study, we investigated the adequacy of the healthcare response systems to detect and treat faecal incontinence in patients in the primary care areas (PCAs) in a core urban area of Barcelona. METHOD: Patients with a diagnosis of faecal incontinence in the study area were identified from the electronic register of diagnostic codes, and from a manual review of electronic medical records of a random sample of the study population. The remaining variables were obtained through a structured telephone interview. RESULTS: In the study population (n = 65,023) with a previously estimated prevalence of faecal incontinence of 13% [95% confidence interval (CI) 10-17%], 68 cases of faecal incontinence were detected by the health care system (prevalence: 0.10%; 95% CI, 0.08-0.13). Of these, 39 patients (68% women, 68 ± 18 years of age) were interviewed: 18 (46%) reported symptoms lasting for longer than 5-10 years and 20 (51%) had waited for more than 5 years before seeking medical advice. Only 8 (18%) had received any treatment for faecal incontinence, and 18 (46%) reported persistent faecal incontinence at the time of the interview (Vaizey severity score 13 ± 4/24). CONCLUSION: The detection and treatment of faecal incontinence is insufficient in primary care services. Strategies to correct this are needed.