Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) represents a frequent cause for gastroenterological referral. 50% of all gastroenterological consultations are for functional gastrointestinal disorders (IBS included). Multiple motility abnormalities were described in IBS. The AIM of the study was to evaluate the role of ano-rectal manometry in the diagnosis of IBS.
Study design: 24 patients with IBS (mean age 50.8 +/- 15.4) and a control group of 10 subjects with no abdominal symptoms (mean age 48.1 +/- 12.3) had each an ano-rectal manometry examination.
Results: After exclusion of constipation predominant IBS subjects, the IBS patients presented lower perception threshold (22.1 +/- 10.9 ml) than the control group (60.2 +/- 11.3 ml) (p < 0.05) and than the constipation predominant group (81.3 +/- 44.0) (p < 0.05). In 44% of constipation predominant IBS concomitant pathology, revealed by manometry, was present: megarectum or hemorrhoids (spasm).
Conclusion: Anorectal manometry could be a useful tool for the evaluation of IBS patients.