Diagnostic evaluation of patients with faecal incontinence at a specialist institution

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of anorectal function clinically, structurally and functionally in patients with faecal incontinence should ensure appropriate and individual treatment. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-six patients with faecal incontinence were reviewed regarding disease history, results of anorectal physiological tests and anal ultrasonography. Results: The mean age was 54 and 191 patients (85%) were female. Sixty-two had passive faecal incontinence only (PI); 49 urge faecal incontinence only (UI); and 115 had both passive and urge faecal incontinence (PUI). Patients with PI had a significantly higher voluntary contraction pressure and less external sphincter abnormalities than UI or ..