Urge Fecal Incontinence Research Articles

Prevalence and Pathophysiology of Loose Stools and Their Impact on Clinical Severity and Quality of Life in Women With Fecal Incontinence.

To compare the impact of fecal consistency with anorectal sphincter dysfunctions on clinical severity and quality of life (QoL) in women with fecal incontinence (FI). FI affects up to 24% of middle-aged women, significantly impacting their QoL. Pathophysiological studies have focused more on sphincter and anorectal dysfunctions than on the role of fecal consistency. A cross-sectional observational study evaluating anorectal physiology, neurophysiology, and fecal consistency with regard to clinical severity and QoL. Patients with a Bristol Stool Chart (BSC) score of 5 or more (BSC ≥5) underwent a breath test to detect bacterial overgrowth (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), lactose or fructose/sorbitol malabsorption, and/or a cholestyramine test to detect bile acid malabsorption. We compared anorectal physiology, clinical severity, and QoL of those with BSC ≥5 with BSC <5. The study included 150 women with an average age of 64.81 ± 11.96. FI types varied: 64.38% had urge FI, 15.06% had passive FI, and 19.18% had both. Among them, 56.2% had BSC ≥5, linked to bile acid malabsorption (20.5%), lactose malabsorption (17.9%), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (14.3%), and fructose/sorbitol malabsorption (14.3%). Anorectal dysfunctions were highly prevalent, with 49.1% showing external anal sphincter insufficiency, 9.8% internal, and 34.7% both. Those with BSC ≥5 experienced significantly worse clinical severity and QoL (St. Mark 17.3 ± 2.69 vs 12.9 ± 3.27), and more pronounced issues in Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale dimensions of lifestyle, coping, depression, and EuroQol 5-dimension of anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort. Fecal consistency of BSC ≥5 significantly worsens clinical severity and QoL in women with FI. Specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches addressing loose stools are needed before any rehabilitation treatment.

Fecal Incontinence Subtype Assessment (FI-SA): validation of a new tool to distinguish among subtypes of fecal incontinence

Three subtypes of fecal incontinence (FI) are described in the literature: urge, mixed and passive FI, but the relevance of this classification remains unknown. To our knowledge, no questionnaire has been validated in a general population of patients with FI to classify patients between the different subtypes of FI. The aim of the present study was to validate the Fecal Incontinence Subtype Assessment (FI-SA) questionnaire in a general population of patients with FI. All consecutive patients referred to our unit for physiological investigations of anorectal function in case of FI were included. A feasibility study was done to assess the acceptability, understanding, and the reproducibility of the FI-SA questionnaire. Its performance to correctly classify patients between subtypes of FI was evaluated in both a feasibility study and in a validation study, using clinical interview as gold standard. The FI-SA questionnaire was found to be well accepted and easily understood by patients. Moreover, it was filled rapidly by patients, with a good reproducibility with an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.97 and 0.87 for questions 1 and 2. Lastly, the accuracy of the FI-SA questionnaire to predict subtypes of FI was 93.3% in the feasibility study (n=30) and 81.1% in the validation study (n=100), in comparison with clinical interview as gold standard. The FI-SA questionnaire could be used in the future to help standardize the methodology used among studies to evaluate the classification of patients in different subtypes of FI and ultimately to guide therapeutics.

Pelvic floor reconstruction-update 2024: prolapse-associated symptoms and their treatment

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and associated symptoms of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, obstructive micturition, defecation, and pain are frequent and awidespread disease with relevant reduction of quality of life and high costs. New insights into functional anatomy and pathophysiology of these pelvic floor dysfunctions let us recognize how ligamentous laxities/defects lead to these dysfunctions. Results of the PROpel study (ClinicalTrials.gov-Identifier: NCT00638235) are shown in which adetailed observation of symptoms (patient-related outcome measures) pre- and postoperatively was performed. Ligamentous vaginal repair of POP enables symptom cure in high percentages for urinary urge incontinence (up to 82%), nocturia (up to 92%), obstructive micturition (up to 87%), fecal incontinence (58-72%), obstructive defecation (71-84%), and pain (53-90%), if caused by POP. Women with POP‑Q stage2 have similar symptom frequencies as women with POP‑Q stage3-4, and also similar cure rates of their symptoms. If good anatomical prolapse repair (in responders) was achieved, the cure rates for obstructive micturition, urinary urgency incontinence, and nocturia were significantly higher than in those women with less effective surgical repair. In the future, pelvic floor surgery should have symptom cure as the primary objective and should lead to improved quality of life. The different, currently performed techniques for POP repair have to be investigated concerning this matter.

Intrarectal injections of botulinum toxin versus placebo for the treatment of urge faecal incontinence in adults (FI-Toxin): a double-blind, multicentre, randomised, controlled phase 3 study

Non-randomised studies assessing intrarectal botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) injections for faecal incontinence are promising. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BoNTA for the treatment of faecal incontinence in a randomised study. In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we included adult patients who had at least one urgency or faecal incontinence episode per week for at least 3 months and who had experienced a failure of conservative or surgical treatment from eight French specialist hospital units with the skills to manage patients with faecal incontinence. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by a central web form to receive intrarectal submucosal injections of either 200 units of BoNTA (Botox; Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA; BoNTA group) or an equivalent volume of saline (placebo group), stratified by Cleveland Clinic Severity scores (CCS score; ≥12 or <12). Patients, investigators, study site staff, and sponsor personnel were masked to treatment allocation up to the 6-month visit. The primary endpoint was the number of episodes of faecal incontinence and urgency per day assessed using 21-day patient bowel diaries 3 months after the treatment. The primary analysis was performed using a modified intention-to-treat (mITT) approach (ie, in all the randomised patients who had received a treatment) with adjustment for baseline faecal incontinence and urgency episodes. After the final data collection at 6 months after injections, patients were unmasked and offered the BoNTA treatment if they were in the placebo group (rescue therapy) without masking, with an additional 6 months of safety follow-up. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02414425. Between Nov 25, 2015, and Nov 25, 2020, we randomly assigned 200 patients to receive either BoNTA (n=100) or placebo (n=100) injections. Due to withdrawals before the injections, 96 patients were included in the BoNTA group and 95 patients were included in the placebo group (mITT analysis). The mean number of faecal incontinence and urgency episodes per day in the BoNTA group decreased from 1·9 (SD 2·2) at baseline to 0·8 (1·8) at 3 months after the injections, and from 1·4 (1·1) to 1·0 (1·0) in the placebo group, with a baseline-adjusted mean group difference at 3 months estimated at -0·51 (95% CI -0·80 to -0·21, p=0·0008). No serious treatment-related adverse events were reported in the trial. The most frequently reported non-serious adverse event (treatment related or not) following the BoNTA or placebo injections was constipation (reported in 68 [40%] of 169 patients who received the BoNTA injections and 38 [40%] of 95 patients who received placebo injections). BoNTA injections are an efficacious treatment for urge faecal incontinence. Further research will define the optimum selection criteria, dose, site of injection, re-injection frequency, and long-term results. General Direction of Healthcare (French Ministry of Health).

The Clinical Impact of Obesity in Patients With Disorders of Defecation: A Cross-Sectional Study of 1,155 Patients.

Obesity is a global epidemic. Its clinical impact on symptoms of fecal incontinence (FI) and/or constipation and underlying anorectal pathophysiology remains uncertain. This is a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients meeting Rome IV criteria for FI and/or functional constipation, with data on body mass index (BMI), attending a tertiary center for investigation between 2017 and 2021. Clinical history, symptoms, and anorectal physiologic test results were analyzed according to BMI categories. A total of 1,155 patients (84% female) were included in the analysis (33.5% normal BMI; 34.8% overweight; and 31.7% obese). Obese patients had higher odds of FI to liquid stools (69.9 vs 47.8%, odds ratio [OR] 1.96 [confidence interval: 1.43-2.70]), use of containment products (54.6% vs 32.6%, OR 1.81 [1.31-2.51]), fecal urgency (74.6% vs 60.7%, OR 1.54 [1.11-2.14]), urge FI (63.4% vs 47.3%, OR 1.68 [1.23-2.29]), and vaginal digitation (18.0% vs 9.7%, OR 2.18 [1.26-3.86]). A higher proportion of obese patients had Rome criteria-based FI or coexistent FI and functional constipation (37.3%, 50.3%) compared with overweight patients (33.8%, 44.8%) and patients with normal BMI (28.9%, 41.1%). There was a positive linear association between BMI and anal resting pressure (β 0.45, R 2 0.25, P = 0.0003), although the odds of anal hypertension were not significantly higher after Benjamini-Hochberg correction. Obese patients more often had a large clinically significant rectocele (34.4% vs 20.6%, OR 2.62 [1.51-4.55]) compared with patients with normal BMI. Obesity affects specific defecatory (mainly FI) and prolapse symptoms and pathophysiologic findings (higher anal resting pressure and significant rectocele). Prospective studies are required to determine whether obesity is a modifiable risk factor of FI and constipation.

Early adulthood and current physical activity and their association with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational study with retrospective physical activity assessment.

To investigate associations of early and middle adulthood physical activity (PA) with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), i.e. stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), faecal incontinence (FI), constipation or defecation difficulties (CDDs) and feeling of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) among middle-aged women. A cross-sectional, observational study with retrospective PA assessment. University Research Laboratory. A random population sample of 1098 Finnish women aged 47-55 years. Early adulthood PA, current PA, and demographic and gynaecological variables were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were applied to study associations of PA variables with symptoms of PFDs. Potential confounding effects of demographic and gynaecological variables were controlled in multiple logistic regression models. Structured questionnaire-assessed retrospective PA assessment at the age of 17-29 years, current PA at middle age, and prevalence of symptoms of CDD, FI, POP, SUI and UUI. Current PA was not independently associated with the occurrence of the symptoms of PFDs. Middle-aged women with an early adulthood history of competitive sports were more likely to experience symptoms of UUI (OR2.16, 95%CI 1.10-4.24, p=0.025) but not symptoms of SUI, FI, CDD or POP, whereas women with a history of regular PA were more likely to experience symptoms of FI (OR4.41, 95%CI 1.05-18.49, p=0.043) but no other symptoms of PFDs. Competitive sports during early adulthood may increase the risk of UUI in middle age. Regular PA during early adulthood may increase the risk of FI.

Relationship between anal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP®) results and the clinical presentation of faecal incontinence.

Faecal incontinence (FI) subtypes (urge, passive, mixed) are linked to the physiopathological mechanism of FI. Previous studies have failed to demonstrate a consistent relationship between FI subtype and anal sphincter dysfunction. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between anal sphincter function, assessed using the new EndoFLIP® technology, and FI subtype. Patients referred for FI were prospectively enrolled between October 2015 and May 2021 in a registry, and data were retrospectively examined. Each patient underwent a clinical assessment as well as three-dimensional high-resolution or water-perfused anorectal manometry, anal EndoFLIP®, and anorectal electrophysiological and endoanal ultrasound tests. The results of the investigations were compared across FI subtypes. The cohort included 133 patients, 54 (41%) of whom met the criteria for urge FI, 40 (30%) for passive FI and 39 (29%) for mixed FI. The resting anal distensibility index (DI) at 50 ml of distension was significantly lower in patients with urge FI than in patients with passive FI (p=0.04). At rest, a DI at 50 ml of distension ≥7.3 mm2 mmHg-1 and a DI at 40ml of distension <1.3 mm2 mmHg-1 were associated with the passive and urge FI subtypes, respectively, with poor discriminatory power (an accuracy of 0.49 compared with 0.33 for random assignment). There were no differences in anorectal manometry, endoanal ultrasound or electrophysiological test results among the urge, passive and mixed FI subgroups (all p > 0.05). The anal sphincter DI using the EndoFLIP® system displayed poor predictive performance in distinguishing among FI subtypes.

Fecal incontinence subtype assessment (FI-SA): A new tool to distinguish among subtypes of fecal incontinence in a neurogenic population

IntroductionTwo subtypes of fecal incontinence (FI) are defined in the literature (urge and passive FI). The pertinence of this classification is unknown due to conflicting findings and heterogeneity of definitions. However, no questionnaire is available to clearly classify patients among subtypes. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a new tool (Fecal incontinence subtype assessment, FI-SA) in order to better classify patients among the different subtypes of FI. MethodsA prospective monocentric study was conducted in consecutive patients with FI according to Rome IV criteria. To validate psychometric properties of the FI-SA questionnaire, a literature review and qualitative interviews were performed and discussed with an expert panel. A feasibility study was realized to assess acceptability and comprehension of items. The reproducibility was investigated in a validation study. ResultsComprehension and acceptability were excellent in 90% of patients in the feasibility study (n = 30). Validation study (n = 100) showed a good reproducibility with an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.91 and 0.89 for questions 1 and 2. Time to fill the questionnaire was 40.0 s. 98.0% patients were classified among subtypes of FI: 34.0% passive FI, 32.0% urge FI and 32.0% mixed FI. ConclusionFI-SA is the first questionnaire to classify patients among subtypes of FI with good psychometric characteristics and the first questionnaire introducing the concept of mixed FI. FI-SA could help to determine the pertinence of this classification of FI in the management of these patients.

Pelvic floor architectural defects in female patients with urge fecal incontinence versus passive fecal leakage: a dynamic ultrasound study.

Fecal incontinence (FI) has two primary subtypes: urgency fecal incontinence (UFI) and passive fecal leakage (PFL). The pathophysiology underlying the subtypes is incompletely understood. To compare the bowel habits, physical examinations and pelvic floor anatomical defects in patients with UFI-dominant FI versus patients with PFL-dominant FI. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of female patients who presented with fecal incontinence symptoms to our tertiary urogynecology center. All subjects underwent a comprehensive history, physical examination, 3D-static pelvic floor ultrasound, and 2D-dynamic ultrasound of the posterior compartment. Patients with UFI-dominant FI were compared to patients with PFL-dominant FI. One hundred forty-five patients were included in the analysis; 57 categorized as UFI-dominant FI, 69 PFL-dominant FI and 19 categorized as having "both" leakage patterns. In comparing bowel habits, patient with UFI-dominant FI had more frequent bowel movements (15.5 ± SD 13.0/week vs. 10.9 ± SD 7.6 /week, p = 0.022) and were more likely to have loose stools (48.2% vs. 26.1%, p = 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in the prevalence of external anal sphincter defect (11.3% vs. 17.2%, p = 0.38) or internal anal sphincter defect (11.3% vs. 19%, p = 0.26) between groups. Finally, patients with UFI-dominant FI had a higher incidence of rectal hypermobility (loss of rectal support on Valsalva) (58% vs. 36.9%, p = 0.025). Patients with urge-predominant FI have increased frequency of bowel movements, looser stools, and increased rectal folding diagnosed via dynamic ultrasound as compared to patients with passive-dominant FI.

Comparison of clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with urge, mixed, and passive fecal incontinence: a systematic literature review.

Two subgroups of fecal incontinence (FI) are described in literature and used in clinical practice. However, the pertinence of this classification of FI is still unknown as there are no clear established guidelines. To a better understanding, we performed a systematic review to characterize the different types of FI (active, passive, or mixed) on the basis of clinical presentation and complementary explorations. This systematic literature review was performed in reference to recommendations for systematic review using PRISMA guidelines without date restriction, until May 2020. This systematic review was performed without temporal limitation using MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. Six hundred nine unique citations were identified from all the databases combined. Of those, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, with 8 retrospective observational studies and 13 prospective observational studies. There was a lack of homogeneity in definitions of passive and urge (active) FI among studies. Prevalence of passive and urge FI was respectively of 4.0-5.0 and 15.0-35.0%. Clinical characteristics, physical examination, and endoanal imaging were not evaluated in most studies. In anorectal manometry, maximal squeeze pressure was higher in passive FI subgroup in most studies and results regarding maximal resting pressure remain discordant. There seemed to be no difference regarding first sensation volume and maximal tolerable volume among subgroups. A few studies evaluated pudendal terminal nerve motor latency with no difference among subgroups. There is a lack of well-conducted prospective studies comparing the different subtypes of FI with validated definitions in both clinical and paraclinical examinations.

Characterization of symptom severity and impact on four fecal incontinence phenotypes in women presenting for evaluation.

To characterize symptom-specific distress and impact on quality of life (QOL) among women with urge, passive, and combined urge/passive fecal incontinence (FI) phenotypes. A secondary aim was to characterize FI symptom-specific distress and impact on women with a novel fourth phenotype, stress FI. Women with at least monthly FI from 2003 to 2017 were included. Participants completed the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire (MMHQ)including MHQand Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI). Anorectal manometry (ARM) and endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) testing was performed. Total MHQ and FISI scores were compared across FI subtypes controlling for pertinent baseline covariates. The cohort included 404 subjects, 220 meeting criteria for urge FI, 67 passive FI, and 117 combined urge/passive FI. On MHQ, women with combined urge/passive FI were most impacted (p < 0.01). FISI scores were significantly different from combined urge/passive FI having the greatest impact (38.1 ± 12.5) and urge FI (31.1 ± 11.3), p < 0.01 having the least. No differences were observed in ARM measurements or anal sphincter defects among the three groups (all p > 0.05). Twenty-nine subjects were identified with stress FI. There were no differences in overall MHQ or FISI scores or anal sphincter evaluation among the urge, passive, and stress FI groups (all p > 0.05). Women with combined urge/passive FI have higher symptom distress and impact on QOLthan urge or passive FI alone. Further research is needed to determine the significance of stress FI as a subtype and response to treatment.

Factors Associated With Response to Anorectal Biofeedback Therapy in Patients With Fecal Incontinence

Anorectal biofeedback (BF) is commonly used to treat patients with fecal incontinence (FI), but demand usually exceeds availability. It is therefore important to identify patients most likely to respond to BF treatment. We aimed to identify pre-treatment clinical or physiologic factors that might be used to predict completion and success of BF in women with FI. We analyzed data from 400 women with FI (mean age, 61 ± 14 y) undergoing instrumental BF in a tertiary care setting from 2003 through 2016. All patients completed questionnaires before BF, including Rome and the hospital anxiety and depression scale questionnaires. Histories of medication use, surgery, medical conditions, and bowel pattern were recorded, urge was assessed, and patients kept stool diaries. Before and after treatment (6 weekly sessions with a gastroenterologist-supervised nurse specialist, 4 involving instrumented anorectal biofeedback), patients were examined by a physician and fecal incontinence severity index and visual analogue scale scores were recorded. The main outcome measure was response to therapy, defined as improvement of 50% or more in weekly FI episodes at the end of BF compared with before BF. The BF treatment was completed by 363 women (91%); of these, 62 had low baseline symptom frequency (no FI episodes in the 2 weeks before BF). Younger age was associated with failure to complete treatment. Of the 301 patients remaining, 202 patients (67%) had a response to therapy; among these women, urge FI was associated with response at end of BF, but not at follow up (6 months after therapy). Baseline severity of symptom scores and quality of life measures were associated with greater improvement in the same variable at the end of BF and after 6 months. Patients with low baseline symptom frequency improved in all secondary outcome measures, similar to patients with higher baseline symptom frequency. In an analysis of 363 women with FI, approximately two-thirds had a response to BF treatment. Urge FI was the only baseline variable associated with response. Baseline severity of symptoms and quality of life measures were associated with greater improvement in the same variable, but not overall response. It is therefore a challenge to select treatment for patients with FI.

Long-term Outcome of Synthetic Mesh Use in Iranian Women with Genital Prolapse.

To evaluate the long-term outcome of synthetic mesh use in the treatment of women with Pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We evaluated the outcome of synthetic mesh implantation by vaginal surgery method in 153 women (mean age of 53.66±9.31 years) with POP grade >2 in the anterior compartment. Demographic findings, baseline symptoms as well as subjective and objective outcome were recorded during the follow-up period of 36.89±11.33 months. Results: POP relapse occurred in 3.3% indicative of 96.7% anatomical success rate. Patients' common baseline findings were frequency (72.5%), stress and urge incontinence (59.5% and 47.7%). Subjective outcome were vaginal pain (13.7%), dyspareunia (9.2%) and tension feeling (8.5%), while objective outcomes were mesh exposure (3.9%), urge incontinence (11.1%) and vaginal infection (1.3%). Stress incontinence was completely treated following surgery. There was significant improvement in dyspareunia, vaginal pain, urge and stress incontinence (all p < 0.001) and fecal incontinence (p = 0.02). After surgery, 88.42% were satisfied of the surgery outcome. POP surgery with synthetic mesh has acceptable results, considerable improvement in symptoms and high rate of satisfaction during follow-up; however, side effects are not uncommon but tolerable.

A novel combined anorectal biofeedback and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation protocol for treating fecal incontinence

Background/Aims:Fecal incontinence (FI) is a common, debilitating condition that causes major impact on quality of life for those affected. Non-surgical treatment options include anorectal biofeedback therapy (BF) and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), usually performed separately. The aims of the current study were to determine the feasibility, tolerability, safety, and efficacy of performing a combined BF and PTNS treatment protocol.Methods:Female patients with urge FI were offered a novel pilot program combining BF with PTNS. The treatment protocol consisted of 13 weekly sessions: an educational session, followed by 5 combined BF and PTNS sessions, 6 PTNS and a final combined session. Anorectal physiology and clinical outcomes were assessed throughout the program. For efficacy, patients were compared with BF only historical FI patients matched for age, parity, and severity of symptoms.Results:A total of 12/13 (93%) patients completed the full program. Overall attendance rate was 93% (157/169 sessions). Patient comfort score with treatment was rated high at 9.8/10 (SD 0.7) for PTNS and 8.6/10 (SD 1.7) for the BF component. No major side effects were reported. A reduction of at least 50% in FI episodes/week was achieved by 58% of patients by visit 6, and 92% by visit 13. No physiology changes were evident immediately following PTNS compared with before, but pressure during sustained anal squeeze improved by the end of the treatment course. Comparing outcomes with historical matched controls, reductions in weekly FI episodes were more pronounced in the BF only group at visit 6, but not week 13.Conclusions:In this pilot study, concurrent PTNS and anorectal biofeedback therapy has been shown to be feasible, comfortable, and low risk. The combined protocol is likely to be an effective treatment for FI, but future research could focus on optimizing patient selection.

Electroestimulación del nervio tibial posterior en incontinencia urinaria de urgencia e incontinencia fecal

ObjectiveThe main aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of percutaneous posterior tibial nerve electrostimulation (P-PTNS) in urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and faecal incontinence (FI) refractory to first-line treatment. A secondary aim was to identify predictors of treatment response. To do this, we performed a 2-year analytical, longitudinal and prospective study in patients with UUI and FI treated with P-PTNS. Material and methodsWe included patients with UUI and FI who were treated with P-PTNS and who completed the bladder/faecal incontinence diary and severity and quality of life questionnaires. We excluded patients with neurogenic UUI and those who abandoned treatment or did not complete the questionnaires. We assessed demographic and clinical variables (micturition/defecation habits pre- and postreatment), severity scales before and after treatment (ICIQ-SF, Sandvick and Wexner), subjective improvement and quality of life (IQOL and FIQL pre- and postreatment). The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v19. ResultsThe sample consisted of 21 patients divided into 2 groups: -UUI group, 9 patients. After P-PTNS, there was a statistically significant improvement in diurnal (p=.018) and nocturnal (p=.016) urinary frequency, urgencies/day (p=.018), urine leakage/day (p=.027), ICIQ-SF and Sandvick (p=.018), and IQOL (p=.012). This improvement was related to exercise (p=.039) and prolapse (p=.05). -Group FI, 12 patients. After P-PTNS, there was a statistically significant improvement in defecation frequency (p=.027), incontinence (p=.012), Wexner scale (p=.007), and FIQL in its 4 dimensions (lifestyle, behaviour, embarrassment p=.005; and depression p=.008). This improvement was related to age (p=.048), time since onset (p=.044) and prolapse (p=.026). ConclusionsThe P-PTNS is effective in UUI and FI refractory to conventional treatment. Treatment response is affected by several factors.

Etiology and management of low anterior resection syndrome based on the normal defecation mechanism.

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) commonly develops after an anal sphincter-preserving operation (SPO). The etiology of LARS is not well understood, as the anatomical components and physiological function of normal defecation, which may be damaged during the SPO, are not well established. SPOs may damage components of the anal canal (such as the internal anal sphincter, longitudinal conjoint muscle, or hiatal ligament), either mechanically or via injury to the nerves that supply these organs. The function of the rectum is substantially impaired by resection of the rectum, division of the rectococcygeus muscle, and/or injury of the nervous supply. When the remnant rectum is small and does not function properly, an important functional role may be played by the neorectum, which is usually constructed from the left side of the colon. Hypermotility of the remnant colon may affect the manifestation of urge fecal incontinence. To develop an SPO that minimizes the risk of LARS, the anatomy and physiology of the structures involved in normal defecation need to be understood better. LARS is managed similarly to fecal incontinence. In particular, management should focus on reducing colonic motility when urge fecal incontinence is the dominant symptom.

Conservative treatment of severe defecatory urgency and fecal incontinence: minor strategies with major impact.

Bowel disturbances have been identified as the most important risk factor for fecal incontinence (FI). However, few studies have evaluated the impact of fiber supplementation. Our aim was to assess the correlation between the improvement in stool consistency by fiber supplementation and the changes in urgency and number of FI episodes and in the QoL of patients with FI. Eighty-three patients who came to our institution with FI and/or fecal urgency associated with loose stools or diarrhea were prospectively included in the study The intervention included dietary advice and methylcellulose 500mg every 8h for 6weeks. All assessments were carried out at baseline and 6weeks after the start of the intervention, and included a Bristol Stool Scale, a 3-week bowel diary, the St Mark's score, the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale (FIQL) and a bowel satisfaction score. Sixty-one patients completed the study. At baseline 50 reported episodes of urge incontinence, while 11 did not report FI episodes because they rarely left home to avoid leakage. The Bristol score improved to normal stools in 65.6% of patients after treatment. Bowel diaries showed a statistically significant reduction in the number of bowel movements, urge episodes, urge fecal incontinence episodes and soiling per week. The St Mark's score and the bowel satisfaction score significantly improved after methylcellulose and overall deferment time also increased. FIQL significantly improved in two subdomains (lifestyle, coping/behavior). Thirty-one patients (51.7%) were discharged with methylcellulose as the only treatment. FI may significantly improve with methylcellulose in selected cases. Assessment of fecal consistency and initial treatment with methylcellulose could be started at primary care level to reduce the need for specialist referral.

Subtypes and symptoms of fecal incontinence in the Dutch population: a cross-sectional study

PurposeTo study the distribution of subtypes and symptoms of fecal incontinence in the general Dutch population.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of the general Dutch population. All respondents (N = 1259) completed the Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence questionnaire. We assigned the respondents to a so-called healthy subgroup (n = 1008) and a comorbidity subgroup (n = 251). The latter subgroup comprised the respondents who reportedly suffered from chronic diseases and who had undergone surgery known to influence fecal continence. We defined fecal incontinence according to the Rome IV criteria.ResultsThe combination of urge fecal incontinence and soiling was the most frequent form of fecal incontinence in the total study group, the “healthy” subgroup, and the comorbidity subgroup (49.0, 47.3, and 51.5%). Passive fecal incontinence was the least frequent form of fecal incontinence in all three groups (4.0, 5.4, and 2.2%). The prevalence and severity of fecal incontinence was significantly higher in the comorbidity subgroup than in the “healthy” subgroup. Only in the comorbidity subgroup did the fecally incontinent respondents feel urge sensation significantly less often before defecating than their fecally continent counterparts (16.5 versus 48.8%, P < 0.001).ConclusionUrge fecal incontinence combined with soiling is commonest in the general Dutch population. Chronic diseases and bowel and pelvic surgery both increase and aggravate fecal incontinence.

The short-term effects of posterior tibial nerve stimulation on anorectal physiology in patients with faecal incontinence: a single centre experience.

Background:Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a novel treatment for patients with faecal incontinence (FI) and may be effective in selected patients; however, its mechanism of action is unknown. We sought to determine the effects of PTNS on anorectal physiological parameters.Methods:Fifty patients with FI underwent 30 min of PTNS treatment, weekly for 12 weeks. High-resolution anorectal manometry, bowel diaries and Vaizey questionnaires were performed before and after treatment. Successful treatment was determined as a greater than 50% reduction in FI episodes.Results:Fifty patients with FI were studied; 39 women, median age 62 years (range 30–82). Compared with pretreatment, there were reductions in episodes of urgency (16.0 versus 11.4, p = 0.006), overall FI (14.5 versus 9.1, p = 0.001), urge FI (5.4 versus 3.2, p = 0.016) and passive FI (9.1 versus 5.9, p = 0.008). Vaizey score was reduced (16.1 versus 14.5, p = 0.002). Rectal sensory volumes (ml) decreased (onset 40.3 versus 32.6, p = 0.014, call 75.7 versus 57.5, p < 0.001, urge 104.1 versus 87.4, p = 0.004). There was no significant change in anal canal pressures (mmHg) (maximum resting pressure 41.4 versus 44.2, p = 0.39, maximum squeeze pressure, 78.7 versus 88.2, p = 0.15, incremental squeeze pressure 37.2 versus 44.1, p = 0.22). Reduction in FI episodes did not correlate with changes in physiological parameters (p > 0.05). Treatment success of 44% was independent of changes in manometric parameters (p > 0.05).Conclusions:PTNS has a measureable physiological effect on rectal sensory volumes without an effect on anal canal pressures. It also reduces FI episodes; however, this effect is independent of changing physiology, suggesting that PTNS has a complex mechanism of action.

25years of Integral Theory by Petros : What remains and what's next?

The Integral Theory (IT) states that urinary stress and urge symptoms mainly arise from lax suspensory ligaments, which are aconsequence of altered collagen/elastin. Four important muscle groups (pubococcygeal muscle, levatorplate, longitudinal muscle of the anus, and the puborectalis muscle) are only able to guarantee the opening and closure mechanism of the bladder, the urethra and the anal tube if the suspensory ligaments are intact. The first practical application of the IT was the repair of the pubourethral ligament (PUL) known as tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). What is the practical impact of the IT today? Do lax suspensory ligaments play arole in stress and urge urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, voiding difficulties, and pelvic pain? Evaluation of the literature, data, and experiences concerning IT. The pathophysiology of pelvic floor disorders has been widely proven and surgical concepts were developed to reconstruct the ligaments with the result of regaining function. Suburethral tapes are accepted as the standard of care for urinary stress incontinence. In addition, the correction of cervical ring defects, the lateral and central cystoceles, the uterosacral ligaments, the perineal body, and the rectovaginal fascia were adapted and newly developed with the aim of alleviating symptoms. Newly published data prove the cure of symptoms in ahigh percentage of cases. The complex conditions and function of the pelvic floor can be understood much better by using the diagnostic algorithm and with knowledge of the basic pathophysiology. The basic IT message: repair the structure (ligaments) and you will restore the function is true for all pelvic floor ligaments.