Assessing rectal sensitivity with elastic balloon vs rectal barostat
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study to assess rectal sensitivity using elastic balloon inflation versus a rectal barostat: is there an agreement in London Classification diagnoses?
IRAS ID
331715
Contact name
Natalie Page
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The human body stores stool (poo) within the rectum, which is between the end of the large bowel and the anus, where stool exits the body. Some people develop issues with sensing that stool is there, or can sense it too much. This can cause symptoms that decrease quality of life, such as leaking stool, pain, and going to the toilet too much or too little. One example where this occurs is a condition called irritable bowel syndrome, which currently affects 3.2 million people in the UK.
The majority of hospitals in the UK assess sensations felt within the rectum by inflating a small elastic (stretchy) balloon, placed within the rectum, with air. The patient is asked at what time they feel different sensations, and from this information a diagnosis can be made (using the London Classification system), which can help their doctor to devise a treatment plan. A less common device, called a rectal barostat, can also be used to test sensations in the rectum. Instead of an elastic balloon, the rectal barostat inflates a plastic bag that is non-elastic, with air. Since the rectal barostat bag is non-elastic, it can also measure the capacity of the rectum, and tell us how stretchy its walls are.
In this study, patients who attend for the elastic balloon test as part of standard care, would also undergo assessment with the rectal barostat in the same hospital appointment. We are aiming to see whether patients tested with the elastic balloon receive the same diagnosis as when they are tested with the rectal barostat. This research is important as it may show that using the rectal barostat changes someone’s diagnosis, and suggests more centres should be using this device instead of the elastic balloon so we can accurately diagnose more patients.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/1521
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion