Socio-demographic and clinical predictors for initiation of rectal irrigation in patients with evacuation disorders.

BACKGROUND

Rectal irrigation is recommended in patients with evacuation disorders (EDs) that are resistant to preliminary conservative treatments.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of rectal irrigation.

METHOD: This study included patients treated for EDs from a prospectively maintained database.

RESULTS

Out of 1618 patients with ED, irrigation was started in 594, of whom 399 (67%) were started on low-volume rectal irrigation (LVRI) and the remaining 195 (33%) on high-volume rectal irrigation (HVRI). LVRI was associated with patients aged >50 years and anal incontinence, while HVRI was associated with constipation and patients aged <50 years (P<0.001). The study also found that patients in the LVRI group were more likely to complete treatment than those in the HVRI group. No variability was found between gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity and the study findings when a comparison was made between patients who continued preliminary conservative treatments and those who started on irrigation.

CONCLUSION

This study provides predictors of rectal irrigation. Future research is needed to explore the outcome and barriers to irrigation.