Anorectal manometric study of patients with long term diabetes mellitus

Fecal incontinence in long term diabetes mellitus (DM) patients is not uncommon. The pathophysiology and causes of this complication of DM are not well understood, nor is there consistent agreements. Probable mechanisms reported i include decreased resting or contraction pressure of anal sphincters, impaired rectoanal inhibitory reflex, increased or decreased compliance of rectal wall, change or delayed rectal sensitivity. The purpose of this study is to prospectively investigate the possible mechanism of anal incontinence in long-term DM patients.