This study aimed to compare pelvic floor symptoms, such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), between patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and functional constipation (FC). It also examined their correlation with anorectal manometry (ARM) findings. The researchers used the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) to assess pelvic floor distress and the Constipation Severity Scale to measure the severity of constipation. A total of 107 patients (64 with FC and 43 with IBS-C) participated in the analysis.

The study found that patients with IBS-C experienced higher levels of distress from POP, LUTS, and colorectal symptoms compared to those with FC. Multivariable regression analysis showed that IBS-C and higher constipation severity were independently associated with higher PFDI-20 scores. However, no correlation was found between ARM parameters, abnormal balloon expulsion tests, and PFDI scores. These results suggest that patients with IBS-C experience greater pelvic floor symptom distress than FC patients The severity of constipation also plays a role in this distress, although dyssynergia (abnormal anorectal function) did not contribute to the findings.

Reference: Singh P, Seo Y, Ballou S, et al. Pelvic Floor Symptom Related Distress in Chronic Constipation Correlates With a Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation and Constipation Severity but Not Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2019 Jan 31;25(1):129-136. doi: 10.5056/jnm17139. PMID: 30646484; PMCID: PMC6326213.