대한대장항문학회

<b>Purpose:</b>Fatigue rate index (FRI) is one of relatively unknown parameters of anal manometry. It was devised to assess sustained voluntary contractibility of external anal sphincter muscle. We designed this study to determine the<br>predictability of<br>FRI in evaluating patients with symptoms of fecal incontinence.<br><br><b>Methods:</b>Consecutive male patients with fecal incontinence, those with prolapsed hemorrhoids but without any kind of incontinence symptom, and male healthy volunteers who have no anal symptom were grouped as A, B, C. Anal manometric<br>parameters including FRI were measured and compared statistically among them.<br><br><b>Results:</b>All subjects were 84. Group A 27, Group B 33, and Group C 24. Their ages were 33.33±2.91 (mean±SE), 39.27±2.80, and 50.81±4.33, respectively. Mean resting pressures (㎜Hg) were 78.11±6.56 for group A, 81.18±7.19 for group B,<br>and<br>57.81±7.80 for group C. Maximum resting pressures (㎜Hg) were 98.67±9.69, 100.82±8.49, 78.13±10.26. Mean squeeze pressures (㎜Hg) were 229.11±18.72, 248.18±23.03, 156.94±17.89. Maximum squeeze pressures (㎜Hg) were 286.50±33.76,<br>298.59±27.83,<br>187.38±21.08. Resting radial asymmetries (%) were 18.85±2.81, 19.85±2.31, 28.70±4.79. Squeeze radial asymmetries were 15.73±2.90, 16.29±1.96, 16.47±2.95. Fatigue rates were 0.90±0.21, 1.17±0.15, 1.38±0.40. Fatigue rate indices (min.)<br>were<br>3.76±0.41, 2.63±0.20, 1.94±0.26, respectively. Differences between group A and group C were statistically significant in mean squeeze pressure (P=0.0093), maximum squeeze pressure (P=0.0190) and FRI (P=0.0008). Those between group B and group<br>C<br>were<br>significant also in mean squeeze pressure (P=0.005), maximum squeeze pressure (P=0.0051), and FRI (P=0.0396). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that independently significant parameters were age (P=0.002) and FRI (P=0.007). Cut-off<br>point of<br>FRI for incontinence with maximum sensitivity and specificity was 2.4min. by ROC (receiver operating characteristics) analysis.<br><br><b>Conclusions:</b>FRI is a meaningful parameter in predicting fecal incontinence, which can be used in assessment of sphincter function and future treatment protocols.<br>