Fecal incontinence (FI) is a common clinical condition with a negative impact on the quality of life. Commonly performed tests to evaluate fecal incontinence include anorectal manometry (ARM) and endoanal ultrasonography (EAU). In the following article, we will discuss this study, which aims to compare the results of these two tests in a cohort of patients with FI.

Fecal incontinence is defined as the involuntary passage of stool in a person older than 4 years and for a period of 3 months or more. The prevalence is suspected to be more than 15%, with higher incidence in the geriatric age population.

FI: Main Causes

 Anorectal function tests are usually performed in patients with fecal incontinence who have failed typical, conservative treatment. This study, which we are going to discuss right now, was aimed to determine the additive value of performing anorectal function tests in such patients in selecting them for surgery.

Introduction

Fecal incontinence is the inability to voluntarily control bowel movements causing stool to leak from the rectum, unexpectedly. It is a very disabling condition with a prevalence of roughly 6% in the adult population. Causes of FI are:

• Disruption of the anal sphincters secondary to obstetric or surgical trauma;
• Neuropathy such as multiple sclerosis diabetes mellitus;
• Neurologic deterioration related to nervus pudendus injury due to chronic straining during chronic constipation or delivery
• Decreased rectal capacity due to inflammatory bowel disease, radiation proctitis and/or irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, the physical inability to reach toilet facilities, and highly reduced mental awareness.

Anorectal manometry is a diagnostic technique that is intended to test how well the rectum and anal sphincter are functioning. In the blog post below, when this test is commonly prescribed, as well as an explanation of the procedure, will be described.

What is Anorectal Manometry?

Anorectal manometry is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that is simple to perform, but it requires complex equipment and well trained nursing staff. This test is used to measure the patient’s contractility in his or her anus and rectum. A catheter with a balloon attached is inserted directly into the patient’s rectum. The balloon is inflated, and pressure readings from the sphincter and rectum are recorded. One purpose of anorectal manometry is to test the ability of the muscles and tissues surrounding the balloon is to relax in response to pressure. For instance, if rectal muscles and sphincter do not relax when the balloon is inflated, paralysis of the colon could be to blame.

Anorectal manometry (ARM) is a common diagnostic tool for fecal incontinence and constipation. However, it can also be used within care pathways for a number of disorders, which will be described here.

Brighter Health Network (BHN), a leading medical diagnostics services company, and Medspira, a leading medical device maker, today announced a national partnership between the two companies to further market, distribute, and service Medspira’s mcompass anorectal manometry system.  BHN provides turn-key, on-site medical diagnostics that include equipment, staff, software, and supplies required to perform multiple types of diagnostic testing such as anorectal manometry.  As part of this partnership BHN will use Medspira’s equipment and supplies to service clinics and hospitals across the country that desire to offer anorectal manometry.  This partnership will enable these clinics and hospitals to offer anorectal manometry testing to their patients without having to purchase expensive equipment, train staff, or incur the other challenges encountered when providing a new service.  This will make it extremely easy for the clinics and hospitals to leverage anorectal manometry, which will in turn allow them to better diagnose and treat patients suffering from fecal incontinence, chronic constipation, and other lower gastrointestinal problems.