title: Fecal incontinence in men: causes and clinical and manometric features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the causes and characteristics of fecal incontinence in men and to compare these features with those presented by a group of women with the same problem.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the medical history, clinical and manometric data from 119 men with fecal incontinence studied in our unit and compared these data with those obtained from 645 women studied for the same problem. Response to treatment was evaluated after 6 mo of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen percent of patients studied in our unit for fecal incontinence were male. Men took longer than women before asking for medical help. Ano-rectal surgery was the most common risk factor for men related to fecal incontinence. Chronic diarrhea was present in more than 40% of patients in both groups. Decreased resting and external anal sphincter pressures were more frequent in women. No significant differences existed between the sexes regarding rectal sensitivity and recto-anal inhibitory reflex. In 17.8% of men, all presenting soiling, manometric findings did not justify fecal incontinence. Response to treatment was good in both groups, as 80.4% of patients improved and fecal incontinence disappeared in 13.2% of them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our series, it was common that men waited longer in seeking medical help for fecal incontinence. Ano-rectal surgery was the major cause of this problem. Chronic diarrhea was a predisposing factor in both sexes. Manometric differences between groups were limited to an increased frequency of hypotony of the external anal sphincter in women. Fecal incontinence was controllable in most patients.
authors: Teresa Muñoz-Yagüe, Constanza Ciriza de los Ríos, Department of Gastroenterology, the University Hospital "12 de Octubre", 28041-Madrid, Spain.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Muñoz-Yagüe
authors: Teresa Muñoz-Yagüe, Constanza Ciriza de los Ríos, Department of Gastroenterology, the University Hospital "12 de Octubre", 28041-Madrid, Spain.
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Solís-Muñoz
authors: Teresa Muñoz-Yagüe, Constanza Ciriza de los Ríos, Department of Gastroenterology, the University Hospital "12 de Octubre", 28041-Madrid, Spain.
authors: Constanza
authors: C
authors: Ciriza de los Ríos
authors: Teresa Muñoz-Yagüe, Constanza Ciriza de los Ríos, Department of Gastroenterology, the University Hospital "12 de Octubre", 28041-Madrid, Spain.
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Muñoz-Garrido
authors: Teresa Muñoz-Yagüe, Constanza Ciriza de los Ríos, Department of Gastroenterology, the University Hospital "12 de Octubre", 28041-Madrid, Spain.
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Vara
authors: Teresa Muñoz-Yagüe, Constanza Ciriza de los Ríos, Department of Gastroenterology, the University Hospital "12 de Octubre", 28041-Madrid, Spain.
authors: José Antonio
authors: JA
authors: Solís-Herruzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003672:Defecation; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000150:complications; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012007:Rectum / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Ano-rectal manometry; Ano-rectal surgery; Biofeedback; Fecal Incontinence; Gender; Treatment