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In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings
14:09

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Published on: January 21, 2015

Functional anorectal disorders.

Adil E Bharucha1, Arnold Wald, Paul Enck

  • 1Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Gastroenterology
|May 9, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This report outlines diagnostic criteria for functional anorectal disorders, including fecal incontinence, pain, and defecation issues. These functional conditions, affecting bowel control and comfort, require specific diagnostic approaches for effective management.

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Colorectal Surgery
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Functional anorectal disorders are common yet often underrecognized, affecting both men and women.
  • These conditions, including fecal incontinence, anorectal pain, and defecation disorders, can cause significant distress.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for guiding appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish clear diagnostic criteria for functional anorectal disorders.
  • To differentiate functional conditions from those with clear structural or neurogenic causes.
  • To provide a framework for clinical assessment and management.

Main Methods:

  • Definition of functional fecal incontinence based on symptom duration, associated factors, and exclusion of structural/neurogenic causes.
  • Classification of functional anorectal pain syndromes, including proctalgia fugax and chronic proctalgia (levator ani syndrome, unspecified).
  • Criteria for functional defecation disorders characterized by constipation symptoms and specific defecatory impairments.

Main Results:

  • Functional fecal incontinence defined by uncontrolled fecal passage without significant structural/neurogenic explanation.
  • Functional anorectal pain syndromes categorized into specific types with defined clinical criteria.
  • Functional defecation disorders identified by constipation symptoms and impaired evacuation mechanics.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed criteria aid in diagnosing functional anorectal disorders, distinguishing them from organic causes.
  • Understanding these functional conditions is key to improving patient care and reducing distress.
  • Pelvic floor retraining, such as biofeedback, shows promise for treating functional defecation disorders.