The pressure area: a variable for the assessment of anal sphincter function.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the contribution of the area under the resting and squeeze pressure curves, respectively, in the measurement of anal sphincter function.


METHODS
Open study.


METHODS
University hospital, Sweden.


METHODS
106 Healthy volunteers (73 women and 33 men) with no signs or symptoms of anorectal disease.


METHODS
Anorectal manometry with a microtransducer.


METHODS
Maximal resting and squeeze pressures. Resting and squeeze pressure areas were calculated in the interval 0-5 cm from the anal verge.


RESULTS
There was no difference in mean(SD) resting pressure (mmHg) between men (50(17)) and women (47(15)) but there was a significant difference in the mean(SD) resting pressure area (units) (149(46) compared with 125(46)). The squeeze pressure was significantly higher in men (193(57)) than in women (115(42), t = 7.72, p < 0.001). The difference between the sexes was even more pronounced when the squeeze pressure areas were compared: (624(216) and 318(114), respectively, t = 9.50, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Both the pressure values and the high pressure zone should be considered in the interpretation of the results of anorectal manometry. The pressure area includes both aspects and showed a greater separation between men and women than the peak pressure value alone.
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
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Hallböök
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Sjödahl
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure