Changes in Anal Pressure According to Age and Gender in Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures

Kim, Kwang Ho; Shim, Kang Sup; Park, Eung Bum

Abstract

Hemorrhoid and anal fissure are common diseases in Korea. It has been demonstrated that patients with hemorrhoidal disease have increased activity of the internal anal sphincter. The fissure causes increased contraction in the internal anal sphincter, thereby increasing pressure in the anal canal. Many studies have reported differences in the anal canal pressures between males and females. Moreover, some papers have shown that sphincter pressures decrease with age. But the majority of these studies were not specific for the hemorrhoid and anal fissure. Therefore, we studied the effect of age and gender on anal pressure in hemorrhoid and anal fissure. Two hundred ninety six patients with hemorrhoid and sixty eight patients with anal fissure were retrospectively assessed. Anorectal manometry using a radial eight-port catheter was performed during resting and squeezing maneuvers of the anal sphincter. In hemorrhoid reduction in maximal average resting(MARP) and squeezing pressure(MASP) were found from the sixth decade, however in anal fissure reduction in MARP and MASP were found in the third decade. In hemorrhoid significant decrease of MARP and MASP were noted in entire ages of female, however in anal fissure increase of MARP and MASP were noted in fifth and sixth decade of female. In conclusion, in hemorrhoid both resting and squeezing pressure decrease with age in female. In anal fissure both resting and squeezing pressure decrease in third decade and in male with fifth and sixth decade.