Socio-demographic and clinical predictors for initiation of rectal irrigation in patients with evacuation disorders.

Background: Rectal irrigation is recommended in patients with evacuation disorders (EDs) that are resistant to preliminary conservative treatments.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of rectal irrigation.

Method: This study included patients treated for EDs from a prospectively maintained database.

Results: Out of 1618 patients with ED, irrigation was started in 594, of whom 399 (67%) were started on low-volume rectal irrigation (LVRI) and the remaining 195 (33%) on high-volume rectal irrigation (HVRI). LVRI was associated with patients aged >50 years and anal incontinence, while HVRI was associated with constipation and patients aged <50 years (P<0.001). The study also found that patients in the LVRI group were more likely to complete treatment than those in the HVRI group. No variability was found between gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity and the study findings when a comparison was made between patients who continued preliminary conservative treatments and those who started on irrigation.

Conclusion: This study provides predictors of rectal irrigation. Future research is needed to explore the outcome and barriers to irrigation.