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Functional disorders of the anus and rectum.
W E Whitehead1, A Wald, N E Diamant
1Committee on Functional Anorectal Disorders, Multinational Working Teams to Develop Diagnostic Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (Rome II), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080, USA. william_whitehead@med.unc.edu
Gut
|August 24, 1999
Summary
This report details functional anorectal disorders like fecal incontinence and pain, which stem from muscle dysfunction. It covers their epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment, offering research directions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Colorectal Surgery
- Pelvic Floor Disorders
Background:
- Functional anorectal disorders involve abnormal muscle function without known etiology.
- These conditions include functional fecal incontinence, anorectal pain (levator ani syndrome, proctalgia fugax), and pelvic floor dyssynergia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss functional anorectal disorders.
- To define epidemiology, summarize pathophysiology, and suggest diagnostic and treatment approaches.
- To propose future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current knowledge.
- Epidemiological data compilation.
- Pathophysiological mechanism summary.
Main Results:
- Defined epidemiology for each functional anorectal disorder.
- Summarized pathophysiology.
- Suggested diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Functional anorectal disorders represent a significant clinical challenge.
- Further research is needed to elucidate etiology and optimize management.
- A multidisciplinary approach is often required for effective treatment.