Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: December 27, 2024
Diagnostic testing for dyssynergic defecation in chronic constipation: meta-analysis
E J Videlock1, A Lembo, F Cremonini
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA. videlock@gmail.com
Dyssynergic defecation (DD) is common in chronic constipation (CC) patients, affecting over a third. Manometry and balloon expulsion tests are recommended for initial evaluation over defecography.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Colorectal Surgery
Background:
- Dyssynergic defecation (DD) involves impaired pelvic floor relaxation during defecation.
- The prevalence of DD in patients with chronic constipation (CC) requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of abnormal findings associated with DD in CC patients undergoing physiological testing.
- To compare DD prevalence across different diagnostic modalities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed.
- Inclusion of studies reporting DD prevalence and specific diagnostic test findings in CC.
- Random effects models to calculate pooled prevalences with 95% confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- 79 studies including 7581 CC patients were analyzed.
- Median prevalence of any single abnormal DD finding was 37.2%.
- Prevalence varied by test: 14.9% (defecography) to 52.9% (ultrasound), with manometry at 47.7%.
Conclusions:
- Dyssynergic defecation is highly prevalent in chronic constipation patients.
- DD is detected consistently across various testing methods and patient populations.
- Defecography showed lower DD prevalence, suggesting manometry and balloon expulsion testing as preferred initial evaluations.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are: