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Anismus: a marker of multi-site functional disorders?

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study was undertaken to assess the clinical significance of anismus in patients who complain of constipation.

Patients and methods

Thirty control subjects and 93 consecutive patients complaining of functional constipation took part in the study. Colonic transit time study and anorectal manometry were performed. Questions about depression and urinary and sexual diseases were added to a questionnaire based on the Rome II criteria, and visual analog scales about four items (constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal bloating and abdominal pain).

Results

Constipated patients have lower threshold sensation volume, lower constant sensation volume, and lower maximum tolerable volume than controls. Thirty-seven patients (40%) were found to have anismus, based on anorectal manometry. No significant difference was found between constipated patients with anismus and constipated patients without anismus, using anorectal manometry. Constipated patients had longer colorectal transit time than controls, but neither total nor segmental colonic transit time was correlated with the presence or absence of anismus. In patients with anismus, a higher frequency of oesophageal symptoms, dysmotility-like dyspepsia, aerophagia, functional bowel disorders, functional abdominal pain, soiling, and dyschezia was found. In addition, a higher frequency of urinary complaints, sexual complaints, and depression was found. Anismus was associated with increased awareness of constipation, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain, but not with diarrhoea.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Digestive Physiology, Hôpital Broussais, 96, rue Didot, 75014, Paris, France

    Michel Bouchoucha & Michel Arsac

  2. Département de Chirurgie, CHUS (Fleurimont), Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H5N4, Canada

    Ghislain Devroede

Authors
  1. Michel Bouchoucha
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  2. Ghislain Devroede
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  3. Michel Arsac
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Correspondence to Ghislain Devroede.

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Bouchoucha, M., Devroede, G. & Arsac, M. Anismus: a marker of multi-site functional disorders?. Int J Colorectal Dis 19, 374–379 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-003-0574-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-003-0574-0

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