The Fatigue Rate Index Is Higher in Children With Functional Constipation and Retentive Fecal Incontinence

Abstract

Background: The Fatigue Rate Index (FRI) is a parameter in anorectal manometry (ARM) to assess sustained voluntary contraction, considering the squeeze pressure and fatigability of the external anal sphincter. It is used in adults to detect fecal incontinence even in patients who present normal squeeze pressures. The FRI in adult patients with functional constipation is similar to controls. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and values of FRI in children in relation to the values previously established in adults and comparing children with functional constipation and retentive fecal incontinence to children without retentive fecal incontinence. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 105 ARM performed from Jan 2014 to Apr 2015. 42 patients were selected (were able to perform a voluntary contraction and had no co-morbidities other than functional constipation). 14 (33.3%) of those collaborated in sustaining contraction for 40 seconds (s), allowing the evaluation of the FRI. Patients with retentive fecal incontinence secondary to functional constipation (n=7, aged 6 to 13 years, six boys) were our interest group. Patients with functional constipation without fecal incontinence (n=7, aged 6 to 13 years, four boys) were considered a reference group. The ARM were performed with a radial eight-channel perfusion catheter (DynamedTM, São Paulo, Brazil) and the FRI was calculated (Proctomaster 6.4) in the first 20 s and overall 40 s of sustained voluntary contraction. Results: 14 of the selected 42 collaborated in sustaining contraction for 40 s, allowing the evaluation of the FRI. In the first 20 s of contraction, the fecal incontinence group showed a significantly higher mean FRI (2.48±1.39 min) compared to the reference group (1.13±0.72 min, P=0.042), which was not observed in the 40 s interval due to less uniform contraction. The anal resting pressure was higher in the fecal incontinence group (76.83 mmHg) than in the reference group (54.13 mmHg), but the statistical study did not reach significance (P=0.051). Conclusion: The FRI is feasible in children. The mean FRI obtained in this study is lower than the reported in constipated adults. The mean FRI among children with functional constipation and retentive fecal incontinence is higher than among constipated children without retentive fecal incontinence.

Testing in functional constipation—What's new and what works

“…The index has been reported as feasible to obtain in a small case series of children and reported as higher in patients with faecal incontinence compared to those without. 86…”

“…Some have reported the fatigue rate index in adults as the ability to sustain voluntary anal contraction as a potential measure of the fatigability of the external anal sphincter in patients with faecal incontinence. The index has been reported as feasible to obtain in a small case series of children and reported as higher in patients with faecal incontinence compared to those without 86 …”