Anorectal Sensorimotor Dysfunction in Fecal Incontinence and Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract
We studied anorectal sensory and motor function in 14 diabetics with fecal incontinence and compared the results with those in 13 continent diabetics, 31 nondiabetics with fecal incontinence, and 11 continent nondiabetics. The threshold volume at which diabetic patients with fecal incontinence experienced rectal sensation was higher (25.0±3.4 ml [mean ±S.E.M.]) than that in continent diabetics (13.0±2.4 ml) or nondiabetics with or without incontinence (14.5±1.5 and 12.5±1.8 ml, respectively; P<0.02).