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Anorectal manometric parameters are influenced by gender and age in subjects with normal bowel function

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Anorectal manometry provides objective information about anorectal function, but its results depend on the examiner’s skill, the type of equipment, and subject characteristics like age or gender. This single institution, prospective study was performed to investigate the effect of gender and age on the results of anorectal manometry.

Methods

All included subjects completed a questionnaire to assess their bowel function. The survey included 13 validated questions (eight on constipation and five on incontinence) and was used to exclude subjects with pathological constipation or incontinence. Subjects with normal bowel function underwent anorectal manometry to measure anal sphincter length (ASL), maximum resting pressure (MRP), and maximum squeeze pressure (MSP), and the results were compared by gender and age.

Results

The mean age of the 154 participants (94 male and 60 female) was 59.1 years. ASL was greater in men (4.23 vs. 3.85 cm, p < 0.001). MRP was not significantly different according to gender (p = 0.93), but MSP was higher in men (190.18 vs. 116.49 mmHg, p < 0.001). ASL did not correlate with age (p = 0.707). MRP was inversely related to age in both men (R 2 = 0.152, p < 0.001) and women (R 2 = 0.282, p < 0.001), and MSP only in women (R 2 = 0.210, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Anorectal manometric parameters are influenced by gender and age. This should be taken into consideration when interpreting manometric readings in a clinical setting.

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Acknowledgments

This study was performed as part of a master’s thesis. The authors thank Ms. J.R. Kim and J.S. Song for their technical assistance.

Authorship and contribution

Hyang Ran Lee, RN, made a substantial contribution to the conception and design of the study, the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data, drafting of the manuscript and revising it critically for important intellectual content, and approval of the final version.

Seok Byung Lim, MD, PhD, made a substantial contribution to the conception and design of the study, the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data, drafting of the manuscript and revising it critically for important intellectual content, and approval of the final version, as a corresponding author.

Jeong Yun Park, RN, PhDc, made a substantial contribution to the conception and design of the study, the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data, drafting of the manuscript and revising it critically for important intellectual content, and approval of the final version, as a corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Colorectal Clinic, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea

    Hyang Ran Lee

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 86 Asanbyeongwon-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, South Korea

    Seok-Byung Lim

  3. Department of Clinical Nursing, University of Ulsan, 86 Asanbyeongwon-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, South Korea

    Jeong Yun Park

Authors
  1. Hyang Ran Lee
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  2. Seok-Byung Lim
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  3. Jeong Yun Park
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Seok-Byung Lim or Jeong Yun Park.

Additional information

Seok-Byung Lim and Jeong Yun Park contributed equally to this work.

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Lee, H.R., Lim, SB. & Park, J.Y. Anorectal manometric parameters are influenced by gender and age in subjects with normal bowel function. Int J Colorectal Dis 29, 1393–1399 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-014-1961-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-014-1961-4

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