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Background: In cystic fibrosis (CF), coughing is associated with a risk of pelvic floor dysfunction. However, data on the prevalence of symptoms (stress urinary incontinence, bladder overactivity, dysuria, and faecal incontinence) are lacking in males and females with CF. The impact of incontinence on adherence to respiratory care has not been studied., Methods: We conducted a multicentre study in adults with CF followed in the North-West French CF network. Urinary disorders and their severity were assessed using the Urinary Symptom Profile (USP) self-report questionnaire; the impact of urinary disorders on general quality of life was measured using the SF-Qualiveen questionnaire; faecal incontinence was assessed using the Wexner self-report questionnaire; and the CFQ-R14+ questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. A self-administered questionnaire developed for the study assessed the impact of symptoms on respiratory care., Results: Of the 178 people with CF included, 34 % reported stress urinary incontinence, with a large female predominance (63.5 % of females vs. 7.5 % of males), 65 % bladder overactivity (including 16 % urge incontinence) and 50 % faecal incontinence, also with a female predominance. Neither urinary nor faecal incontinence were related to the severity of the respiratory impairment (FEV1). Quality of life was particularly affected in women. Stress urinary Incontinence symptoms affected respiratory care in both sexes., Conclusion: The prevalence of functional urinary and faecal disorders was high in adults with CF and impacted on quality of life and respiratory care. Therefore, multidisciplinary teams must have knowledge of symptoms, the diagnostic tools and management strategies to provide specific treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None, (Copyright © 2023 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The incidence of severe faecal incontinence (FI) in young people is likely underestimated. The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of FI by using the French national insurance information system (SNDS)., Methods: The SNDS was used, including 2 health insurance claims databases. The study included 49,097,454 French people who were ≥ 20 years old in 2019. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of FI., Results: In 2019, 123,630 patients out of the entire French population (n = 49 097 454) (0.25%) were treated for FI. The numbers of male and female patients were similar. The data showed a dramatic increase in the incidence of FI between the ages of 20 and 59 in female patients, compared to 60 and 79 in male patients. The risk of FI increased with age (OR of 3.6 to 11.3 depending on age). Women had a higher risk of severe FI compared to men between the ages of 20 and 39 (OR = 1.3; 95%CI:1.3-1.4) and the ages of 40 and 59 (OR = 1.1; 95%CI:1.08-1.13). This risk decreased after the age of 80 (OR = 0.96; 95%CI:0.93-0.99). The rate of diagnosis of FI also increased where there were greater numbers of proctologists practising in the region of residence in question (OR of 1.07 to 1.35 depending on the number of proctologists)., Conclusion: Young women who have given birth and elderly men are at risk of FI and must be targeted by public health information campaigns. The development of coloproctology networks should be encouraged., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The effects of bariatric surgery on anal continence are not known. Data about proctologic lesions are very rare and do not include clinical data. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate anal continence and anal lesions before and after sleeve gastrectomy (SG)., Methods: We prospectively included all patients presenting for bariatric surgery consultation at Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, Paris, France, between 20 April 2015 and 16 December 2017. The patients were evaluated with questionnaires, anorectal manometry and clinical examination before SG (at enrollment) and between 12 and 24 months after (SG). Anal incontinence was defined as a Vaizey score above 4., Results: Of 118 enrolled patients, 98 had SG. The patients were mostly women (n = 99, 84.6%). Median patient age was 45 years (IQR 34-54 years). The median follow-up period after surgery among the 86 patients who completed follow-up was 15 months (IQR 12.5-17.3 months). There was no significant change in the prevalence of anal incontinence after SG (12.8% preoperatively vs 24.4% postoperatively, p = 0.06). The median Vaizey score was 4 (IQR 4-4) both before and after SG (p = 0.1). No patient had de novo anal incontinence but worsening of anal incontinence was noted in 10 patients. Manometry revealed significantly lower median resting pressure (29 mmHg [IQR 22-68 mmHg] vs 22 mmHg [IQR 15-30 mmHg], p = 0.0015) and maximal squeeze pressure (IQR 29-74 mmHg vs IQR 30-60 mmHg, p = 0.0008) after SG. Anismus was more frequent after SG and was associated with constipation and Bristol type 1-2 stool consistency. Quality of life was unchanged. Proctologic lesions were rare and were present in 11 patients (12%) at enrollment and in 2 (2.4%) at follow-up., Conclusions: SG affected clinical anal continence but not significantly, and manometric measurements for anal pressures were lower postoperatively. Proctologic lesions were rare in this study population.

Introduction: Most studies of elderly-onset Crohn's disease [CD; diagnosed in patients aged 60 or over] have described a mild course. However, data on the natural history of perianal fistulising CD [pfCD] in this population are scarce. In a population-based cohort study, we described the prevalence, natural history, and treatment of pfCD in patients with elderly-onset CD vs patients with paediatric-onset CD., Method: All patients diagnosed with CD at or after the age of 60 between 1988 and 2006, were included [n = 372]. Logistic regression, Cox models, and a nested case-control method were used to identify factors associated with pfCD., Results: A total of 34 elderly patients [9% of the 372] had pfCD at diagnosis. After a median follow-up of 6 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 3; 10), 59 patients [16%] had pfCD; the same prevalence [16%] was observed in paediatric-onset patients. At last follow-up, anal incontinence was more frequent in elderly patients with pfCD than in elderly patients without pfCD [22% vs 4%, respectively; p < 10-4]. Rectal CD at diagnosis was associated with pfCD: hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.8 [1.6-5.0]). Although 37% of the patients received immunosuppressants and 17% received anti-tumour necrosis factor agents, 24% [14 out of 59] had a definitive stoma at last follow-up., Conclusion: During the first 6 years of disease, the prevalence of pfCD was similar in elderly and paediatric patients. Rectal involvement was associated with the appearance of pfCD in elderly-onset patients. Around a quarter of patients with elderly-onset CD will have a stoma. Our results suggest that treatment with biologics should be evaluated in these patients., (Copyright © 2019 European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Introduction: Many bowel problems following low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer considerably impair the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The LAR syndrome (LARS) scale is a self-report questionnaire to identify and assess bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. It has been translated and validated in several languages but not in French (metropolitan French). The primary objective is to adapt the LARS scale to the French language (called French-LARS score) and to assess its psychometric properties. Secondary objectives are to assess both the prevalence and severity of LARS and to measure their impact on QoL., Methods and Analysis: A French multicentre observational cohort study has been designed. The validation study will include translation of the LARS scale following the current international recommendations, assessment of its reliability, convergent and discriminant validities, sensitivity, internal consistency, internal validity and confirmatory analyses. One thousand patients will be enrolled for the analyses. The questionnaire will be initially administered to the first 100 patients to verify the adequacy and degree of comprehension of the questions. Then reproducibility will be investigated by a test-retest procedure in the following 400 patients.An analysis will be conducted to determine the correlation between the LARS score and the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ; European Organization for Treatment and Research of Cancer's QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29). Risk factors linked to QoL deterioration will be identified and their impact will be measured. This study will meet the need for a validated tool to improve patient care and QoL., Ethics and Dissemination: The institutional review board of the University Hospital of Caen and the ethics committee (CPP Nord Ouest I, 25 January 2019) approved the study., Trial Registration Number: NCT03569488., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: The objective of these clinical practice guidelines was to analyse all of the interventions during pregnancy and childbirth that might prevent obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and postnatal pelvic floor symptoms., Material and Methods: These guidelines were developed in accordance with the methods prescribed by the French Health Authority (HAS)., Results: A prenatal clinical examination of the perineum is recommended for women with a history of Crohn's disease, OASIS, genital mutilation, or perianal lesions (professional consensus). Just after delivery, a perineal examination is recommended to check for OASIS (Grade B); if there is doubt about the diagnosis, a second opinion should be requested (GradeC). In case of OASIS, the injuries (including their severity) and the technique for their repair should be described in detail (GradeC). Perineal massage during pregnancy must be encouraged among women who want it (Grade B). No intervention conducted before the start of the active phase of the second stage of labour has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of perineal injury. The crowning of the baby's head should be manually controlled and the posterior perineum manually supported to reduce the risk of OASIS (GradeC). The performance of an episiotomy during normal deliveries is not recommended to reduce the risk of OASIS (Grade A). In instrumental deliveries, episiotomy may be indicated to avoid OASIS (GradeC). When an episiotomy is performed, a mediolateral incision is recommended (Grade B). The indication for episiotomy should be explained to the woman, and she should consent before its performance. Advising women to have a caesarean delivery for primary prevention of postnatal urinary or anal incontinence is not recommended (Grade B). During pregnancy and again in the labour room, obstetrics professionals should focus on the woman's expectations and inform her about the modes of delivery., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of this review was to agree on a definition of the obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), to determine the prevalence and risk factors., Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature on the obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), establishment of levels of evidence (NP), and grades of recommendation according to the methodology of the recommendations for clinical practice., Results: To classify obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), we have used the WHO-RCOG classification, which lists 4 degrees of severity. To designate obstetric anal sphincter injuries, we have used the acronym OASIS, rather than the standard French terms of "complete perineum" and "complicated complete perineum". OASIS with only isolated involvement of the EAS (3a and 3b) appears to have a better functional prognosis than OASIS affecting the IAS or the anorectal mucosa (3c and 4) (LE3). The prevalence of women with ano-rectal symptoms increases with the severity of the OASIS (LE3). In the long term, 35-60% of women who had an OASIS have anal or fecal incontinence (LE3). The prevalence of an OASI in the general population is between 0.25 to 6%. The prevalence of OASIS in primiparous women is between 1.4 and 16% and thus, should be considered more important than among the multiparous women (0.4 to 2.7%). In women with a history of previous OASIS, the risk of occurrence is higher and varies between 5.1 and 10.7% following childbirth. The priority in this context remains the training of childbirth professionals (midwives and obstetricians) to detect these injuries in the delivery room, immediately after the birth. The training and awareness of these practitioners of OASIS diagnosis improves its detection in the delivery room (LE2). Professional experience is associated with better detection of OASIS (LE3) (4). Continuing professional education of obstetrics professionals in the diagnosis and repair of OASIS must be encouraged (Grade C). In the case of second-degree perineal tear, the use of ultrasound in the delivery room improves the diagnosis of OASIS (LE2). Ultrasound decreases the prevalence of symptoms of severe anal incontinence at 1 year (LE2). The diagnosis of OASIS is improved by the use of endo-anal ultrasonography in post-partum (72h-6weeks) (LE2). The principal factors associated with OASIS are nulliparity and instrumental (vaginal operative) delivery; the others are advanced maternal age, history of OASIS, macrosomia, midline episiotomy, posterior cephalic positions, and long labour (LE2). The presence of a perianal lesion (perianal fissure, or anorectal or rectovaginal fistula) is associated with an increased risk of 4th degree lacerations (LE3). Crohn's disease without perianal involvement is not associated with an excess risk of OASIS (LE3). For women with type III genital mutilation, deinfibulation before delivery is associated with a reduction in the risk of OASIS (LE3); in this situation, deinfibulation is recommended before delivery (grade C)., Conclusion: It is necessary to use a consensus definition of the OASIS to be able to better detect and treat them., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The endpoint was to assess the interest of planned cesarean section in primary and secondary obstetrical perineal prevention., Methods: This is a review of the literature about the impact of the mode of delivery in urinary incontinence (UI), anal incontinence (AI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), sexual disorders de novo or prior to delivery and history of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI)., Results: The studies about UI, AI and sexual disorders report a potential protective impact of cesarean section but with a possible selection bias and an inadequate comparability of the groups. Randomized trials do not report any protective effect of planned cesarean section for these 3 disorders. The literature about POP reports a higher risk for the women who delivered vaginally but still with a possible selection bias et there is no randomized trial for this outcome. About the secondary prevention of OASI, there is no evidence in the literature for a benefit of a systematic planned cesarean section for all women. For symptomatic women, the mode of delivery has to be discussed individually. In secondary prevention of UI, AI, POP and sexual disorders, there is no evidence in the literature for a benefit of planned cesarean section even if there is a history of surgical procedure for the disorder., Conclusion: Planned cesarean section is not recommended in order to prevent primary or secondary obstetrical perineal disorders except for symptomatic OASI for whom an individual discussion about the mode of delivery is recommended., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The objective of this review was to evaluate whether interventions performed during labour could influence the risk of perineal tears., Methods: A separate keyword search for each medical intervention during labor was performed by selecting only studies evaluating perineal consequences, particularly the risk of obstetrical anal sphincter injury (LOSA). Interventions during pregnancy and during fetal expulsion have been specifically addressed in other chapters of the recommendations., Results: Maternal mobilisation and postures during the first stage of labour have not been shown to reduce the risk of OASIS (LE3). No particular posture has demonstrated its superiority over any other during the second stage of labour for preventing obstetric perineal lesions including OASIS and postnatal incontinence (urinary or faecal) (LE2). There is no reason to recommend one maternal posture rather than another during the first and the second stages of labour for the purpose of reducing the risk of OASIS (Grade C). Women should be allowed to choose the position most comfortable for them during the first and second stages of labour (Professional consensus). Posterior cephalic positions present the greatest risks of perineal injury (LE2). Manual rotation of cephalic posterior positions to the anterior during the second stage of labour may make it possible to reduce the risk of operative vaginal delivery, although no reduction in the risk of perineal injuries or OASIS has been clearly demonstrated (LE3). For fetuses in posterior cephalic positions, no data justifies a preference for manual rotation at full dilation to diminish the risk of perineal injury (Professional consensus). Urinary catheterisation is recommended for women with epidural analgesia during labour when spontaneous micturition is not possible (Professional consensus). Although current data does not justify a preference for continuous or intermittent urinary catheterisation (LE2), intermittent catheterisation nonetheless appears preferable in this situation (Professional consensus). During the second stage phase, delayed pushing does not modify the risk of OASIS (LE1). It does, however, increase the chances of spontaneous delivery (LE1). It is thus recommended that, when maternal and fetal status allow it, the start of pushing should be delayed (Grade A). There is no evidence to support preferring one pushing technique rather than another to diminish the risk of OASIS (grade B). Performing an operative vaginal delivery for the sole purpose of reducing the duration of the second stage of labour may increase the risk of OASIS (LE3). Perineal massage or the application of warm compresses during the second stage of labour appear to reduce the risk of OASIS (LE2). However, we have not made a determination about their use in clinical practice., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To assess whether pelvic size and shape, spinal curvature, perineal body length and genital hiatus size are associated with the incidence of childbirth pelvic floor trauma. Special situations, such as obesity, ethnicity and hyperlaxity, will also be studied., Methods: A bibliographic research using Pubmed and Cochrane Library databases was conducted until May 2018. Publications in English and French were selected by initial reading of the abstracts. Randomized trials, meta-analyzes, case-control studies and large cohorts were studied in a privileged way., Results: A pubic arch angle<90° (measured clinically) does not appear to increase the risk of OASIS (Level 3), but appears to be a risk factor for postnatal anal incontinence at short-term, but not at long-term (Level 3). Measurement of pelvic dimensions and the subpubic angle is not recommended to predict OASIS or to choose the mode of delivery for the purpose of protecting the perineum (GradeC). Prenatal measurement of both perineal body (Level 3) and genital hiatus (Level 2) does not predict the incidence of 2nd or 3rd degree OASIS. Therefore, the routine prenatal measurement of the length of the perineal body or the genital hiatus is not recommended for any objective related to perineal protection (Grade C). Levator avulsion, resulting in a widening of the genital hiatus, is potentially a source of long-term pelvic floor dysfunction. Biomechanical models suggest that performing a mediolateral episiotomy and applying the fingers to the posterior perineum at the time of expulsive phase may reduce pelvic floor trauma. Obese women have a longer perineal body (Level 3), and obesity does not seem to increase the risk of OASIS (Level 2). There is no difference between Asian and non-Asian women perineal body (Level 3). No studies have validated that the liberal practice of episiotomy in Asian women reduced the risk of OASIS. It is therefore not recommended to practice an episiotomy for simple ethnic reasons in Asian women (GradeC). Compared to white women, black women do not appear to have an increased risk of OASIS and even appear to have a decreased risk of perineal tears of all stages (Level 2). Ligament hyperlaxity seems to be associated with an increased risk of OASIS (Level 2)., Conclusions: Prenatal assessment of pelvis bone, spine curvature, perineal body and genital hiatus do not allow to predict the incidence of childbirth pelvic floor trauma. Obesity and ethnicity are not risk factors for OASIS., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To recommend the episiotomy procedure, repair of perineal or vaginal tears and episiotomy., Methods: Published Literature was retrieved using PubMed and Cochrane Library computer databases up to May 2018 and recommendations issued from international societies., Results: A midline episiotomy increases the risk of OASIS compared with a mediolateral procedure (LE2). OASIS rates are similar for mediolateral and lateral episiotomies (LE1). A scar angle of at least 45° (measured in relation to the midline after suturing) is associated with a lower risk of OASIS (LE3). To obtain this final angle, the episiotomy must be performed at a 60° angle (LE1). Current data are insufficient to recommend the length, the timing, and the modalities procedure during instrumental delivery for mediolateral episiotomy. Suturing the superficial plane of a perineal tear provides no benefits when the edges touch and do not bleed (LE2). The techniques for suturing perineal lacerations by continuous sutures are associated with a reduction in immediate pain, reduced use of analgesics, and less frequent removal of stitches, compared with interrupted stitches (LE1). Synthetic suture materials with either standard or rapid absorption provide similar results for perineal pain and women's satisfaction: rapid absorption polyglactin has the advantage of a reduced need for later stitch removal, but it increases the risk of scar dehiscence (LE1). There are not enough published studies to recommend the use of biological glues in the repair of first-degree perineal tears or skin in second-degree tears. Delaying repair of OASIS for several hours does not aggravate the subsequent prognosis for anal continence (LE1). Internal sphincter injury lead to significant further anal incontinence (LE3). There is no study comparing methods for internal sphincter repair. To repair the external sphincter, overlap and end-to-end suture techniques yield similar results for anal continence (LE2). Use of polydioxanone 3/0 or polyglactin 2/0 to repair the EAS produces similar results for perineal pain and anal incontinence scores (LE2) CONCLUSIONS: A mediolateral incision is recommended for an episiotomy (Grade B). The angle of incision recommended for a mediolateral episiotomy is 60° (GradeC). It is recommended that continuous running sutures be preferred for the repair of episiotomies and second-degree tears (Grade A). It is recommended that obstetrics professionals optimise surgical conditions to the extent possible for repair of OASIS (professional consensus); a detailed report of the extent of the injuries, the techniques of repair, and the material used is recommended (GradeC). The external anal sphincter can be repaired with either overlap or end-to-end suture techniques (Grade B)., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Aims: To study clinical and urodynamic data along with immediate and long-term morbidity of surgical management of neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, Methods: Single-center retrospective study of 61 SCI patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) related urinary incontinence and/or sphincter weakness incontinence who underwent supratrigonal cystectomy with Hautmann pouch ± concomitant stress incontinence procedure (27.9%; n = 17)., Results: With a mean follow-up of 5.84 years (range 1-20.5) an improved or total continence rate was achieved in 89.7% and 74.1%, respectively. Surgery failed (incontinence persisted) for six (10.3%) patients, three of which had a simultaneous procedure for stress incontinence. On urodynamics, maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) (ml) increased from 305.2 to 509.4 (P < 0.05), mean compliance (ml/cmH(2) O) increased from 15 to 42.7 (P < 0.05) and mean detrusor pressure at MCC (cmH(2) O) fell from 54.1 to 19.1 (P < 0.05). Persisent NDO occurred in 20.7% compared to 59% pre-operatively (P < 0.05). The overall complication rate was 37.7% but ≤Clavien grade 2 in 82.6%. Notably, the incidence of bowel dysfunction, namely diarrhea and/or fecal incontinence was 27.5%. Concomitant outlet surgery was associated with increased morbidity as three (17.6%) complications led to re-intervention., Conclusions: Supratrigonal cystectomy with Hautmann pouch is an excellent surgical treatment for SCI patients suffering from refractory NDO incontinence. It achieves the main goals of achieving continence (74% complete), reducing rates of infection and preserving upper tract function, which is reflected in the improvement on urodynamics. The incidence of secondary bowel dysfunction and potential risk of a simultaneous procedure for stress incontinence needs to be discussed., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Regular physical activity usually confers health benefits, but high-level sport may induce harmful outcomes, such as pelvic floor dysfunction. Urinary incontinence (UI) was previously documented, but few data are available about anal incontinence (AI) in female athletes. Our aim was to determine the role of high-level sport practice on AI in a young, healthy female population., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included women aged 18-40 years. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to each female volunteer. Two groups were defined: (1) intensive sport (IS) group: high-level sport (>8 hours weekly), and (2) nonintensive sport (NIS) group: all other subjects., Results: Of the 393 women enrolled, 169 were in the IS group and 224 were in the NIS group. Women of the IS group were significantly younger than the others (21.74±4.28 vs. 24.87±5.61 years, p<0.001) and had less births (0.07±0.31 vs. 0.20±0.62, p=0.005). The prevalence of AI was statistically higher in the IS group than in the NIS group (14.8% vs. 4.9%, p=0.001), as was UI (33.1% vs. 18.3%, p=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that IS practice (odds ratio [OR] 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-6.87, p=0.010) and body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.28, p=0.033) were significantly linked to AI when taking into account major confounding factors (age and births). In the IS group, AI was mainly represented by loss of flatus in 84%., Conclusions: High-level sport appears to be a significant independent risk factor for AI in healthy young women. These results suggest that preventive measures, such as pelvic floor muscle training, may be proposed for this young population.

Objectives: The UCLA Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument (UCLA-SCTCGIT) 2.0 was developed to assess systemic sclerosis (SSc) associated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) symptoms severity and its impact on patients' well-being. Our objective was to translate the UCLA-GIT 2.0 from English to French and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the French version., Methods: UCLA-GIT 2.0 was adapted into French using a formal forward-backward translation method and administered to 76 French speaking patients with SSc. The patients also completed the SF-36. We evaluated the internal consistency reliability and construct validity by exploring associations between the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 and SF-36 scales. Patients were also classified into two groups based on unintended weight loss within the past 6 months (≥5% vs. <5% of total body weight)., Results: Participants were mostly white (90%), female (81%) and had limited SSc (50%). Mean score of the UCLA-GIT 2.0 scales were: 0.35 for faecal soilage, 0.44 for diarrhoea, 0.45 for emotional well-being, 0.48 for both constipation and social functioning, 0.52 for reflux, and 0.95 for distension/bloating. The instrument had acceptable reliability (defined as Cronbach alpha≥0.69) except for the diarrhoea scale (alpha=0.56). The majority of hypothesized correlations were of moderate magnitude (coefficient≥0.30) and were in the appropriate direction. Patients with ≥5% unintended weight loss had worse UCLA-GIT scores in all scales (p<0.05 for distention/bloating scale)., Conclusions: The French version of the UCLA-GIT 2.0 has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used in French speaking SSc patients.

Anal incontinence today is more frequent than current estimates indicate. When a patient seeks care for this condition, its cause and severity are assessed by a careful history and clinical examination. Two essential atraumatic examinations are decision-support tools: transrectal ultrasound and anal manometry. Treatment should always be proposed. Surgery is necessary in some cases: obvious rupture of the external sphincter, if possible confirmed by transrectal ultrasound, should be directly repaired. Should this treatment fail, a repeated repair or a sphincter replacement (graciloplasty or artificial sphincter) is called for. Neuromodulation therapy is often indicated in the absence of obvious rupture, especially in cases of pudendal neuropathy.

Hemorrhoidectomy is the treatment of choice for Stage 3 and 4 hemorrhoids; the most popular technique is that described by Milligan et al. Longo has recently introduced stapled anopexy as an alternative to the Milligan hemorrhoidectomy, however long-term results do not yet demonstrate a convincing superiority. The Parks technique of hemorrhoidectomy is another alternative to Milligan's procedure; it is an established and widely known procedure. The present prospective trial reports the immediate and medium-term results of Parks hemorrhoidectomy performed on 327 consecutive patients between 1997 and 2001. All patients were interviewed using a standard questionnaire before surgery and at 1 and 3 weeks after surgery. An anal incontinence score was recorded before and after surgery in the first 198 patients. No serious operative complications were seen. The daily mean postoperative pain score was less than 3. Mean hospital stay was 2.2 days and work incapacity was 11 days. The anal incontinence score was unchanged or improved in 179 patients (90.4%) and was worsened in 19 patients (9.6%). This trial confirms that Parks hemorrhoidectomy is safe and leads to satisfactory outcome. Postoperative pain is reduced and anal functional sequelae are few.

Purpose: To prospectively compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL), patient-reported treatment-related symptoms, and costs of iodine-125 permanent implant interstitial brachytherapy (IB) with those of radical prostatectomy (RP) during the first 2 years after these treatments for localized prostate cancer., Methods and Materials: A total of 435 men with localized low-risk prostate cancer, from 11 French hospitals, treated with IB (308) or RP (127), were offered to complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core Quality of Life Questionnaire QLQ-C30 version 3 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the prostate cancer specific EORTC QLQ-PR25 module before and at the end of treatment, 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after treatment. Repeated measures analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were conducted on HRQOL changes. Comparative cost analysis covered initial treatment, hospital follow-up, outpatient and production loss costs., Results: Just after treatment, the decrease of global HRQOL was less pronounced in the IB than in the RP group, with a 13.5 points difference (p < 0.0001). A difference slightly in favor of RP was observed 6 months after treatment (-7.5 points, p = 0.0164) and was maintained at 24 months (-8.2 points, p = 0.0379). Impotence and urinary incontinence were more pronounced after RP, whereas urinary frequency, urgency, and urination pain were more frequent after IB. Mean societal costs did not differ between IB (8,019 euros at T24) and RP (8,715 euros at T24, p = 0.0843) regardless of the period., Conclusions: This study suggests a similar cost profile in France for IB and RP but with different HRQOL and side effect profiles. Those findings may be used to tailor localized prostate cancer treatments to suit individual patients' needs.

Objectives: Our goal was to develop quality of life questionnaires in French for women with pelvic organ prolapse., Material and Method: From two questionnaires previously developed for prolapse and validated in English, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, we have developed two questionnaires in French, the Inventaire des Symptômes de Prolapsus (ISP) and the Questionnaire sur l'Impact du Prolapsus (QIP). The ISP assesses symptom distress in women with pelvic floor disorders and measures how much these symptoms bother women. The QIP assesses life and emotional impact. These questionnaires were constructed after a double translation, a double expertise and patient interviews. A complete cross-validation into French is currently unfeasible due to cost considerations., Results: The ISP and QIP questionnaires assess urinary, colorectal-anal and vaginal symptoms in relation to pelvic floor disorders. Both questionnaires significantly correlated with urinary and colorectal-anal symptoms. The main advantage of these instruments is the use of scales, with separate simple score for each scale., Conclusion: Based on two previously validated English questionnaires, the PFDI and the PFIQ, we have developed the first quality-of-life instruments in French for women with pelvic organ prolapse, the ISP and the QIP.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the safety and efficacy of dynamic graciloplasty performed in 5 French surgical centers involved in the treatment of fecal incontinence., Patients and Methods: Between March 1994 and March 2000, a total of 24 patients were treated with dynamic graciloplasty for fecal incontinence excluding case of anal reconstruction for cancer. Intramuscular leads and neurostimulators were implanted to stimulate the transposed gracilis. Continence and safety were evaluated using patients' records during hospitalisation and during the out-patient visit or further hospitalisation., Results: No death occurred. A successful functional outcome was reported for 19 patients (79%) during the follow up period. Twenty-two complications occurred including wound. Wound infection in 6 patients and tendon detachment in 4. One patient presented with an infected anal erosion leading to material explantation., Conclusion: Dynamic graciloplasty is an effective procedure for patients with refractory fecal incontinence. However, the procedure has significant morbidity which seems to be correlated with the surgeons' experience. Moreover, this procedure should now be compared to the artificial anal sphincter.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence, identify the risk factors, and assess the prognosis of elderly institutionalized patients who develop fecal incontinence., Patients and Methods: We enrolled 1,186 patients 60 years of age and older living in long-term care facilities who did not have fecal incontinence. We assessed their medical history, treatment, mobility, and cognitive function. Patients were followed up for 10 months to determine the incidence of fecal incontinence, defined as at least one involuntary loss of feces. Independent risk factors associated with fecal incontinence were identified using Cox proportional hazards models. The prognosis of incontinent patients was assessed by comparing their survival rate with that in the continent patients., Results: Fecal incontinence occurred in 234 patients (20%), and was usually associated with acute diarrhea or fecal impaction. We identified five risk factors for the development of fecal incontinence: a history of urinary incontinence (rate ratio [RR]: 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5 to 2.6); neurological disease (RR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.4); poor mobility (RR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.4); severe cognitive decline (RR: 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.9); and age older than 70 years (RR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.8). Ten-month mortality in the 89 patients with long-term (> or = 8 days) incontinence was 26%, significantly greater than that observed in the continent group (6.7%) or in the 145 patients with transient incontinence (10%)., Conclusions: Long-lasting or permanent fecal incontinence was associated with increased mortality, suggesting that this symptom is a marker of poor health in older patients. Actions that improve mobility might help prevent fecal incontinence in elderly patients.