Correlation of Clinical Symptoms With Neuromorphological Changes of the Colorectal Wall in Patients With a Bowel Evacuation Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Constipation and defecation disorders affect a significant portion of the population, especially those over 65 years old, leading to major quality of life restrictions and high healthcare costs. The causes of these disorders are complex and not fully understood. This research investigates neuropathological changes, such as the loss of ganglion cell clusters and changes in nerve supply in the intestinal wall, which may be linked to inflammatory and autoimmune processes possibly triggered by infections. The study involves analyzing intestinal tissue samples from patients with bowel evacuation disorders who have undergone surgery or rectal full-wall biopsies when surgery is not indicated. Researchers correlate these neuropathological findings with clinical symptoms and scores. Blood samples are also collected to explore diagnostic options for identifying patients with nerve cell disruptions in the bowel. Participants will be assessed through clinical scoring systems, questionnaires about their symptom history and anxiety levels, and neuropathological examination of tissue samples. The study aims to better understand the mechanisms behind chronic intestinal emptying disorders by linking clinical data with tissue changes over a 10-year period. This includes monitoring psychological health and autoimmune markers to improve diagnosis and treatment approaches.

Neuropathological Changes of the Intestinal Wall in Patients With Bowel Evacuation Disorders