proctalgia fugax
Last reviewed 01/2018
- proctalgia fugax
- clinical features
- a severe, cramp-like pain of the rectum
- lasts several seconds or minutes to up to half an hour
- pain then disappears completely
- attacks are infrequent, occurring less than five times a year in 51% of patients (1)
- usually occurs at night - occurs with intervals of weeks to many months
- prevalence estimates range from
8 to 18% (1)
- only 17-20% of those affected report the symptoms to their physicians
- prevalence rates in men and women vary
- pathophysiology
and psychological factors
- identification of physiological mechanisms is difficult because of the short duration and sporadic, infrequent nature of this disorder
- there is study evidence to suggest that smooth muscle spasm may be the cause of proctalgia fugax
- psychological testing has revealed that many patients are perfectionistic, anxious, and/or hypochondriacal (1)
- diagnosis
- based on symptoms alone
- there are no physical examination findings or laboratory tests that support the diagnosis
- treatment
- reassurance
and explantation is all that is required for most patientts because episodes of
pain are so brief
- however a small group of patients have proctalgia fugax on a frequent basis and may require active treatment - there is study evidence showing that inhalation of salbutamol (a beta adrenergic agonist) shortens the duration of episodes of proctalgia (3)
- reassurance
and explantation is all that is required for most patientts because episodes of
pain are so brief
- clinical features
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