Anorectal Manometry Versus Patient-Reported Outcome Measures as a Predictor of Maximal Treatment for Fecal Incontinence

PURPOSE: This study aims to establish the ability of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and anorectal manometry (ARM) in predicting the need for surgery in patients with fecal incontinence (FI). METHODS: Between 2008 and 2015, PROMs data, including the Birmingham Bowel and Urinary Symptoms Questionnaire (BBUSQ), Short Form 36 (SF-36), Wexner Incontinence Score and ARM results, were prospectively collected from 276 patients presenting with FI. Spearman rank was used to assess correlations between specific PROMs questions and ARM assessments of sphincter motor function. Binomial regression analyses were performed to identify factors predictive of the need for surgery. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to establish the utility of individual ARM and PROMs variables in predicting the need for surgical intervention in patients with FI. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-eight patients (82.60%) were treated conservatively while 48 (17.39%) underwent surgery. On univariate analyses, all 4 domains of the BBUSQ, all 8 domains of the SF-36, and the Wexner Incontinence Score were significant predictors of surgery. Additionally, maximum resting pressure, 5-second squeeze endurance, threshold volume, and urge volume were significant. On ROC curve analyses, the only significant ARM measurement was the 5-second squeeze endurance. PROMs, such as the incontinence domain of the BBUSQ and five of the SF-36 domains, were identified as fair discriminators of the need for surgery. CONCLUSION: PROMs are reliable predictors of maximal treatment in patients with FI and can be readily used in primary care to aid surgical referrals and can be applied in hospital settings as an aid to guide surgical treatment decisions.