Pruritus ani: Is anal sphincter dysfunction important in aetiology?

Anthony A. Eyers, James P S Thomson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Forty-three patients whose principal symptom was pruritus ani were studied. Twenty-eight had anal disease, while in 15 no such disease could be shown. Maximum resting pressures and transient and sustained pressures of the anal canal in response to rectal distension were measured by manometry. Although the maximum resting pressure in the patients with no disease was about the same as that in the group with disease, the pressures recorded in response to rectal distension were significantly lower. These results show that the anal sphincter relaxes in response to rectal distension more readily in patients with no anal disease. Hence soiling may occur, which may be a factor in the genesis of pruritus ani.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1549-1551
Number of pages3
JournalBritish Medical Journal
Volume2
Issue number6204
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 1979
Externally publishedYes

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