The effects of clonidine on symptoms and anorectal sensorimotor function in women with faecal incontinence
Open Access
- 1 August 2010
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by Wiley in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
- Vol. 32 (5), 681-688
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04391.x
Abstract
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 681–688 Summary Background Women with faecal incontinence and rectal urgency have increased rectal stiffness and sensation. Aim To evaluate the effects of clonidine, an α2‐adrenergic agonist, in faecal incontinence. Methods In this open‐label uncontrolled study, bowel symptoms and anorectal functions (anal pressures, rectal compliance, and sensation) were assessed before and during treatment with transdermal clonidine (0.2 mg daily, 4 weeks) in 12 women with urge‐predominant faecal incontinence. Results Clonidine reduced the frequency (17.8 ± 3.1 before vs. 8.8 ± 3.9 after, P = 0.03) and number of days with faecal incontinence (11.8 ± 1.6 before vs. 6.1 ± 1.8 after, P = 0.02), faecal incontinence symptom severity score (max = 13, 8.3 ± 0.7 vs. 5.6 ± 0.9, P < 0.01), and allowed patients to defer defecation for a longer duration (P = 0.03). Although overall effects on anorectal functions were not significant, the treatment‐associated reduction in faecal incontinence episodes was associated with increased rectal compliance (r = −0.58, P < 0.05) and reduced rectal sensation. (r = −0.73, P = 0.007 vs. desire to defecate pressure threshold). Conclusions Clonidine improves symptoms in women with faecal incontinence; this improvement is associated with increased rectal compliance and reduced rectal sensitivity. A controlled study is necessary to confirm these observations.Keywords
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Symptoms and Quality of Life in Community Women With Fecal IncontinenceClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2006
- Low rectal volumes in patients suffering from fecal incontinence: what does it mean?Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2005
- A new questionnaire for constipation and faecal incontinenceAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2004
- The management of pelvic floor disordersAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2004
- A randomized, controlled exploratory study of clonidine in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndromeClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2003
- Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems and Skin Sensitivity ReactionsAmerican Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2000
- Towards identifying optimal doses for alpha‐2 adrenergic modulation of colonic and rectal motor and sensory functionAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2000
- Comparison of the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of Oral (Catapres) and Transdermal (M‐5041T) Clonidine in Healthy SubjectsThe Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1994
- Actions of noradrenaline on myenteric neurons in the guinea pig gastric antrumJournal of the Autonomic Nervous System, 1992
- Effects of loperamide on anal sphincter function in patients complaining of chronic diarrhea with fecal incontinence and urgencyDigestive Diseases and Sciences, 1982