Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39933780›Full record

Observational studyBMJ open gastroenterology2025

Provocative tests of anal sphincter function correlate with symptoms and subtypes of faecal incontinence.

Alexander O'Connor, Donghua Liao, Matthew Davenport, Abhiram Sharma, Dipesh H Vasant, Niels Klarskov, Asbjørn Mohr Drewes, Edward Kiff, John McLaughlin, Karen Telford

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMJ open gastroenterology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Alexander O'ConnorFaculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre Manchester, Manchester, UK alexander.oconnor@manchester.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3964-9152
Donghua LiaoMech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
Matthew DavenportFaculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Abhiram SharmaFaculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Dipesh H VasantFaculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre Manchester, Manchester, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2329-0616
Niels KlarskovDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Herlevand Gentofte University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
Asbjørn Mohr DrewesMech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
Edward KiffDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
John McLaughlinFaculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre Manchester, Manchester, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6158-5135
Karen TelfordFaculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesHigh-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) is the established investigation in faecal incontinence (FI). However, provocative tests (functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) and anal acoustic reflectometry (AAR)) have been proposed as alternatives. This study uniquely explores all three methods in correlation with FI symptoms and subtypes.

methodsThis was a prospective observational study of patients with FI attending a tertiary pelvic floor unit between August 2022 and January 2024. Patients underwent HRAM, FLIP and AAR with the order randomised. FI severity was assessed with the Vaizey score and quality-of-life with the Manchester Health Questionnaire.

results40 patients (39 women, median age: 62 (range: 38-85)) were recruited with 27 (67.5%) reporting urge FI, 8 (20%) mixed and 5 (12.5%) passive incontinence. FLIP squeeze measurements correlated with the Vaizey score, including incremental squeeze pressure at 40 mL (r

conclusionsFLIP and AAR correlate better with FI symptoms compared with HRAM. Therefore, these provocative tests could be used to guide the management of FI in prospective studies.

Indexed as

Anal CanalFecal IncontinenceManometryAdultAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPressureProspective StudiesQuality of LifeSeverity of Illness IndexANAL SPHINCTERANORECTAL PHYSIOLOGYFAECAL INCONTINENCE

Identifiers

PMID39933780
PMCPMC11815472

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.