Evaluation of Anorectal Function in Perianal Crohn’s Disease: A Pilot Study

Background: Perianal Crohn’s disease is a disabling condition, with little known about anorectal function in healed/inactive perianal Crohn’s disease; Aim: To evaluate anorectal function in a cohort of patients with treated/healed perianal Crohn’s disease; Methods: Prospective cohort study, including high-resolution anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, and 3D-endoanal ultrasound in all patients; Results: Of the 16 patients studied (mean age ± SD, 42 ± 13 years), 12 (75%) were men. A laceration of the internal anal sphincter and/or anal scarring was seen in nine (56%) patients; there was no laceration of the external anal sphincter. Five (56%) of these nine patients had never experienced faecal incontinence. All had normal anal resting and squeeze pressures. Manometry suggested dyssynergia in 11 (69%) patients, with only one (6%) fulfilling the criteria for obstructed defecation. Hyposensitivity for at least one sensory parameter was seen in 11 (69%) patients and hypersensitivity in five (31%) patients; Conclusions: This study detected sphincter abnormalities in more than half of patients, many of whom were asymptomatic. Alterations in rectal sensation were frequently seen, more commonly with rectal hyposensitivity. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03819257).

Relation between pelvic floor neurophysiological abnormalities and erectile dysfunction in patients with obstructed defecation

Background Obstructed defecation is a common pelvic floor medical problem among adult population. Pelvic floor disorders were reported to be associated with sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction among male patients. The aim was to determine the relation between pelvic floor neurophysiological abnormalities and erectile dysfunction in male patients with obstructed defecation. Methods This cross-sectional study included 65 married male patients with obstructed defecation and a control group consisted of 15 apparently healthy married males. Assessment of obstructed defecation severity was done by using modified obstructed defecation score, time of toileting and Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life questionnaire. Assessment of erectile functions was done using erectile function domain of International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire and Erectile Dysfunction-Effect on Quality of Life Questionnaire. Anal manometry and dynamic pelvis magnetic resonance imaging were done. Electrophysiological studies included pudendal nerve motor conduction study and needle electromyography of external anal sphincter, puborectalis and bulbocavernosus muscles. Results There were 32 patients (49.2%) who had erectile dysfunction. The maximum straining anal pressure was significantly higher among patients with erectile dysfunction. Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency was significantly delayed and the percentage of bilateral pudendal neuropathy was significantly higher among patients with erectile dysfunction. The percentage of electromyography evidence of denervation with chronic reinnervation in the external anal sphincter and bulbocavernosus muscles were significantly higher among patients with erectile dysfunction. Regression analysis detected three co-variables to be associated with significantly increasing the likelihood of development of erectile dysfunction. These were maximum straining anal pressure (odd ratio = 1.122), right pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (odd ratio = 3.755) and left pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (odd ratio = 3.770). Conclusions Erectile dysfunction is prevalent among patients with obstructed defecation. It is associated with characteristic pelvic floor electrophysiological abnormalities. Pelvic floor neurophysiological changes vary from minimal to severe neuromuscular abnormalities that usually accompanying erectile dysfunction. Pudendal neuropathy and increased maximum straining anal pressure are essential risk factors for increasing the likelihood of development of erectile dysfunction in patients with obstructed defecation.

Clinical, endoscopic and radiological assessment of patients with obstructed defecation: findings and management at a District General Hospital

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of clinical, endoscopic and proctographic assessment as well as clinical outcomes in patients with obstructed defaecation (OD). The study also examined correlation between clinical/endoscopic findings and proctogram in the diagnosis of rectocele and intra-rectal intussusception (IRI).Methods: Patients presenting with symptoms of OD between January-December 2018 were assessed with manual examination, endoscopy and defecation proctogram. Patients were followed for 2-3 years for clinical outcomes.Results: There were 65 female (97.01%) and 2 male patients (2.98%), with an average age of 57.77 (34-88) years. Main indications were OD, altered bowels, faecal urgency and rectal bleeding. A total of 67 X-ray defecating proctograms and 77 endoscopies were performed. Main findings on clinico-endoscopic examination were IRI (44), rectocele (36) and haemorrhoids (21). Main findings on proctogram were rectocele (59), IRI (56) and enterocele (13). Endoscopic assessment showed sensitivity: 55.93%, specificity: 62.50% and accuracy: 56.72% in diagnosing rectocele when compared with the diagnostic confirmation on proctogram. Combining manual assessment with endoscopic findings improved sensitivity (76.27%) and accuracy (68.66%). Similar improvement was also noted in the sensitivity (61.40 to 66.67%), specificity (47 to 58%), and accuracy (53.73 to 58.21%) in diagnosing IRI when compared with the diagnostic confirmation on proctogram. Majority of the patients improved with conservative measures; however, surgical intervention was required in 13 patients.Conclusions: Although manual examination enhances endoscopic assessment in diagnosing rectocele and IRI, proctogram is still required for objective assessment. Management of OD remains mainly conservative, with surgical intervention required in some patients.

The REALISE score: a new statistically validated scoring system to assess the severity of anal fissures

Background Anal fissure (AF) is a common, painful disease that strongly affects patients’ quality of life, however, no scoring system to assess the severity of AF is available in the literature. The aim of this study was to set up and validate a reliable scoring system to quantify the severity of AF, to be used in prospective trials comparing the efficacy and the outcomes of surgical or medical treatments. Methods The study was conducted on patients with acute or chronic AF and a control group in a tertiary centre for coloproctology in June 2020–September 2020. Two researchers independently carried out a structured interviewer-led questionnaire at two different time points (T1/T2). The questionnaire consisted of five items selected according to the most commonly reported symptoms for AF: the item pain, was scored from 0 to 10 using a visual analogue scale, and quality of life, duration of pain, use of painkillers, and bleeding were scored from 1 to 5 using Likert-scale questions. The scoRing systEm for AnaL fIsSurE (REALISE) score was the sum of the points. Patients with AF and a control group of patients with haemorrhoids, anal fistula, or obstructed defecation syndrome entered the study. Main outcome measures were reliability, inter-/intraobserver agreement, and repeatability. Results One hundred and fifty well-matched patients (75 with AF and 75 controls) were enrolled. A significant difference was found between the mean REALISE score for patients with AF and controls (p < 0.001). The two REALISE scores were highly correlated (r = 0.99). The coefficient of repeatability was 1.45 in T1 and 1.18 in T2. Conclusions The REALISE score may have an important role in the assessment and management of AF, in grading the severity of AF and comparing results of different treatments.