Investigation of anal function in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Abstract

Objective-To investigate anorectal function in women patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), with and without lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods-Anorectal manometry was performed in 16 patients with SSc: six with no or minimal bowel symptoms, seven with constipation, and three with diarrhoea and faecal incontinence. Eleven healthy women acted as control subjects. Pressure data were recorded via an eight lumen polyvinylchloride water perfused catheter. Station and rapid pull through techniques were used.

Faecal incontinence in patients with systemic sclerosis: is an impaired internal anal sphincter the only cause?

“…This result strongly supports the idea that poor function of the smooth internal anal sphincter muscle causes faecal incontinence in SSc. Others have shown a reduced anal resting pressure in SSc patients (12)(13)(14)(24)(25)(26), and by means of ultrasonography, some authors have found either fibrosis and thinning (12) or oedema and thickening (27) of the internal anal sphincter.…”

Systematic review: pathophysiology and management of gastrointestinal dysmotility in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

“…The resting pressure of the anal sphincter was reported to be normal 174, 185 or decreased 164, 184, 186 . A decrease was noted in the maximum squeeze pressure of the anal sphincter, 186 the rectal capacity and rectal wall compliance 164, 169, 183, 184, 187, 188 . The rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) was reported to be normal in a few studies 164, 174 but diminished or absent in the majority of studies 162, 183, 185, 186, 188–192 .…”

Distensibility of the anal canal in patients with systemic sclerosis: a study with the functional lumen imaging probe

“…Fibrotic degeneration of the IAS causes faecal incontinence in 38% of SSc patients [6]. This process is reflected by reduced anal resting pressure [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] and thinning of the IAS when evaluated by endoanal ultrasonography [11,15]. The effects of SSc and fibrosis of the IAS on anal biomechanics remain obscure.…”