Mean (SEM) demographic and manometric data of pathophysiological groups studied. Results of transit time measurements are mentioned in the text and figure 1
| Controls | Chronic constipation | Stool incontinence | |
| Sex ratio (female/male) | 10/8 | 94/81-150 | 89/131-150 |
| Age (years) | 49.1 (3.3) | 52.9 (1.6) | 61.2 (1.3)1-150 † |
| Symptom duration (years) | — | 20.5 (1.6) | 5.2 (1.1)† |
| Sphincter pressures: | |||
| Resting (mm Hg) | 62.1 (4.5) | 50.8 (1.8)1-150 | 32.9 (1.8)1-150 † |
| Maximal (mm Hg) | 102.6 (6.5) | 89.7 (2.8)1-150 | 62.9 (3.8)1-150 † |
| RAIR thresholds: | |||
| First appearance (ml) | 20.0 (0.8) | 21.2 (1.1) | 22.1 (1.0) |
| Maximal relaxation (ml) | 85.3 (5.4) | 85.0 (3.5) | 78.2 (4.1) |
| Rectal sensitivity thresholds: | |||
| Perception (ml) | 22.2 (1.5) | 28.9 (2.0) | 28.2 (1.6) |
| Urge (ml) | 44.7 (3.4) | 74.7 (4.1)1-150 | 61.3 (3.4) |
| PSC (n (%)) | 4 (22.2) | 42 (41.2) | 26 (25.5)‡ |
PSC, paradoxical sphincter contraction; RAIR, rectoanal inhibitory reflex.
↵1-150 p<0.05 versus controls, †p<0.05 versus constipation, ‡p=0.017 versus constipation.