Korean J Gastroenterol.  2022 Dec;80(6):254-261. 10.4166/kjg.2022.111.

Effects of Aging and Gender on the Anorectal Function of Healthy Subjects Assessed with Conventional Anorectal Manometry

• Kim HJ
• Kim N
• Choi Y
• Lee J
• Yoon H
• Shin CM
• Park YS
• Lee DH
• Kim HR
• Kang SB

• KMID: 2537096
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2022.111

Abstract

Background/Aims
Anorectal functions are influenced by gender and age. This study sought to define the normal anorectal pressure values measured with conventional anorectal manometry (ARM) and to evaluate the effects of age and gender on anorectal function in asymptomatic subjects.
Methods
Conventional ARM was used to measure the anorectal pressures of 164 asymptomatic healthy subjects, including 86 males and 76 females.
Results
The resting anal pressures of males and females aged >60 years were significantly lower than those ≤60 years (males, 44.09±14.22 vs. 57.45±17.69, p<0.001; females, 44.09±14.22 vs. 57.45±17.69, p<0.001). The anal high-pressure zone was significantly lower in older males than in younger males (2.42±0.93 vs. 2.82±0.739, p=0.048). In both age groups (<60 and ≥60 years), the anal squeezing pressures of males were significantly higher than those of females (<60 years old, 168.40±75.94 vs. 119.15±57.53, p=0.001; ≥60 years, 149.61±64.68 vs. 101.3±54.92, p=0.006).
Conclusions
The normal anorectal pressure values measured with ARM in males and females were different. Older males and females had lower anal resting pressures than those of the younger subjects, but squeezing pressure was not affected by age.

Keyword

Manometry; Anal canal; Aging; Sex

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Algorithm for the inclusion and classification of study participants.

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  Fig. 2 Comparison of mean resting anal pressures in male and female subjects according to age. Resting anal pressures in males aged ≥70 years were significantly lower than in males aged <40, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69 years, and those in males aged 60-69 years were significantly lower than in males aged 40-49 years. In female subjects, the mean resting pressures in the 60-69 age group were significantly lower than those of the <40, 40-49, and 50-59 years age groups.

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