The role of anorectal investigations in predicting the outcome of biofeedback in the treatment of faecal incontinence.

OBJECTIVE

The current literature does not provide unequivocal evidence on prognostic factors of patients' response to biofeedback for management of faecal incontinence. The aim of this study was to identify independent predictors of patient response to biofeedback.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Baseline demographic characteristics, symptomatology and anorectal investigation reports of 137 patients who completed biofeedback therapy were analysed retrospectively. Short-term response (<3 months) to biofeedback was assessed using subjective criteria (improvement/ no improvement). P Values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

At univariate analysis, age, duration of symptoms, severity of faecal incontinence, mean maximum squeeze and resting pressure differed significantly (p < 0.05) were associated with patients' response. However, after performing logistic regression analysis age, duration and severity of symptoms were the only variables associated with the outcome (p Values were 0.041, 0.022 and 0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Three independent factors (younger age, shorter duration and lower severity of faecal incontinence) were associated with patient outcome after completing our unit's biofeedback protocol. Anorectal investigations are of questionable value in patient selection for biofeedback therapy.