Patient satisfaction after biofeedback for constipation and pelvic floor dyssynergia

Background: Patients referred for chronic constipation frequently report sy mptoms of straining, feeling of incomplete evacuation, or the need to facil itate defecation digitally (dyschezia). When such patients show manometric evidence of inappropriate contraction or failure to relax the pelvic floor muscles during attempts to defecate, the) are diagnosed as having pelvic fl oor dyssynergia (Rome I). Aims: To evaluate long-term satisfaction of patients with pelvic floor dyss ynergia after biofeedback. Patients: Forty-one consecutive patients referred for chronic constipation at an outpatient gastrointestinal unit and diagnosed as having pelvic floor dyssynergia who completed a full course of biofeedback. Methods: Data have been collected using a standardised questionnaire. A que stionnaire sun ey of patients' satisfaction rate and requirement of aperien ts was undertaken. Results: Mean age and symptom duration were respectively 41 and 20 years. H alf of patients reported fewer than 3 bowel motions per week. Patients were treated with 9 mean of 5 biofeedback sessions. At the end of the therapy p elvic floor dyssynergia was alleviated in 85% of patients and 49% were able to stop all aperients. Satisfaction was maintained at follow-up telephone interviews undertaken after a mean period of 2 years, as biofeedback was he lpful for 79% of patients and 47%, still abstained from intake of aperients . Conclusions: Satisfaction after biofeedback is high for patients referred f or chronic constipation and diagnosed with pelvic floor dyssynergia. Biofee dback improves symptoms related to dyschezia anti reduces use of aperients.