Is there a difference between patients with rectal hyposensitivity having either constipation or anal incontinence ?

Rectal hyposensitivity (RH) is a clinical condition to define the increased sensory threshold pressures to rectal balloon distention in anorectal manometry practice. Although the pathogenesis is still not clear, it can be sub- categorized into primary (dysfunction of afferent path- ways) or secondary (altered rectal mechanics). RH can be associated with either constipation or incontinence (1). Rectal hyposensitivity is observed in about 45 percent of patients with fecal incontinence, whereas rectal hyposen- sitivity is observed in about 30 percent of patients with constipation (2).