Are Obese Patients at an Increased Risk of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Compared to Non-obese Patients?

PURPOSE: Factors associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure such as chronic cough, morbid obesity, and constipation may be related to pelvic floor dysfunction. In this study, we compared anorectal manometry values and clinical data of class II and III morbidly obese patients referred to bariatric surgery with that of non-obese patients. METHODS: We performed a case-matched study between obese patients referred to bariatric surgery and non-obese patients without anorectal complaints. The groups were matched by age and gender. Men and nulliparous women with no history of abdominal or anorectal surgery were included in the study. Anorectal manometry was performed by the stationary technique, and clinical evaluation was based on validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Mean age was 44.8 ± 12.5 years (mean ± SD) in the obese group and 44.1 ± 11.8 years in the non-obese group (p = 0.829). In the obese group, 65.4% of patients had some degree of fecal incontinence. Mean squeeze pressure was significantly lower in obese than in non-obese patients (155.6 ± 64.1 vs. 210.1 ± 75.9 mmHg, p = 0.004), and there was no significant difference regarding mean rest pressure in obese patients compared to non-obese ones (63.7 ± 23.1 vs. 74.1 ± 21.8 mmHg, p = 0.051). There were no significant differences in anorectal manometry values between continent and incontinent obese patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of fecal incontinence among obese patients was high regardless of age, gender, and body mass index. Anal squeeze pressure was significantly lower in obese patients compared to non-obese controls.

There is an agreement between constipation referred and that documented by objective criteria? / Existe concordância entre constipação referida e constatada por critérios objetivos?

Abstract Introduction Chronic constipation is the most common digestive complaint at the doctor's office, with high prevalence in the population. However, many patients - and even those physicians not so familiar with pelvic floor disorders-define and consider constipation based on intestinal functionality and stool consistency. But symptoms of incomplete defecation, digital maneuvers, abdominal discomfort, and straining should not be overlooked. Objectives To investigate the correlation between constipation referred and documented through objective criteria in patients admitted on a daytime-nursing ward basis at the Hospital Santa Marcelina, São Paulo. Methodology This is a prospective study of a random sample of patients admitted on a daytime-ward hospitalization basis at Santa Marcelina Hospital to perform minor surgical procedures not related to functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in the period from September 2014 to June 2015; the only exclusion criterion was "not agreed to participate in the interview conducted by students of medicine at Santa Marcelina Medical School". Results 102 patients were randomly analyzed in the period considered (51% female) with a mean overall age of 48.6 (19-82) years. Constipation has been reported spontaneously by 17.6% of participants and denied by 82.4%. With the implementation of the Cleveland Clinic's criteria for the diagnosis of constipation, the compliance with the referred symptomatology was 88.9%; the same value was found with the use of the Rome III criteria (Kappa = 0.665). In addition, a higher incidence of constipation was observed in female patients (p = 0.002). Conclusion A higher incidence of constipation was observed in female participants, with no statistical difference with respect to age. Furthermore, a substantial agreement was found between constipation referred and constipation documented through objective criteria.

Resumo Introdução A constipação intestinal crônica representa a queixa digestiva mais comum no consultório com elevada prevalência na população. No entanto, frequentemente, os pacientes e mesmo os médicos, não tão afeitos com os distúrbios do assoalho pélvico, definem e consideram constipação baseados na funcionalidade intestinal e consistência das fezes. Entretanto, os sintomas de defecação incompleta, manobras digitais, desconforto abdominal e esforço evacuatório não devem ser negligenciados. Objetivos Verificar a correlação entre constipação intestinal referida e constatada através de critérios objetivos em pacientes internados em regime de enfermaria dia no Hospital Santa Marcelina, São Paulo. Metodologia Estudo prospectivo de amostra aleatória de pacientes internados em enfermaria dia do Hospital Santa Marcelina para realização de cirurgias de pequeno porte e não relacionadas a distúrbios funcionais de trato gastrintestinal no período entre setembro de 2014 e junho de 2015, cujo único critério de exclusão foi o não consentimento em participar da entrevista realizada pelos alunos do curso de medicina da Faculdade Santa Marcelina. Resultados Foram analisados de forma aleatória 102 pacientes no período sendo 51% do sexo feminino e média de idade global de 48,6 anos (19-82 anos). A constipação foi referida de forma espontânea em 17,6% e negada em 82,4%. Ao se utilizar o critério da Cleveland Clinic para constatar constipação houve uma concordância com o sintoma referido fora de 88,9%, com mesmo valor ao se utilizar os critérios de Roma III (Kappa = 0,665). Além disso, verificou-se maior incidência de constipação intestinal nos pacientes do sexo feminino (p = 0,002). Conclusão Verificou-se maior incidência de constipação no sexo feminino sem diferença estatística baseado na idade. Além disso, constatou-se concordância substancial entre a constipação referida e a documentada através de critérios objetivos.