Physiologic Testing

Abstract

Physiologic testing is used to assess pelvic floor and anorectal disorders. These physiologic tests are performed in conjunction with a history, diary of the disorder, physical examination, endoscopy, and imaging studies. Physiologic tests have provided or confirmed a diagnosis in 75% of patients with constipation, 66% of patients with incontinence, and 42% of patients with chronic anorectal pain. Commercial equipment is available which produces reproducible results. However, the lack of validated normal values for healthy patients of both sexes and all ages remains a major problem. Physiologic testing includes several tests which complement each other. No single test contributes the data necessary to analyze disorders of the pelvic floor. Unfortunately, many patients have diseases or disorders that are of multifactorial pathophysiologies which produce several abnormal results, that are difficult to interpret.