HOW DO I EVALUATE AND TREAT PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION IN MY PATIENTS WITH IBS?

In the context of functional bowel disorders, the term pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses disordered defecation, which can cause chronic constipation, and anal weakness, which can predispose to fecal incontinence in patients with diarrhea. 1-3 However, there is a wider spectrum of pelvic floor dysfunctions, characterized not only by anal but also rectal sensorimotor dysfunctions. 2 Moreover, while rectal evacuation disorders generally manifest as chronic constipation, they may also predispose to fecal incontinence. This chapter will focus on the assessment and management of defecatory disorders in patients with chronic constipation.