March 2019 - Question 2

Correct Answer: E 
 
Rationale  
This patient has slow-transit constipation without concomitant defecatory disorder, which is unresponsive to newer pharmacologic agents. According to the recently published AGA medical position paper on constipation, the next step in this patient's evaluation should be to repeat colon transit testing on medications. If abnormal, the next step would be evaluation for possible upper GI motility disorder including a gastric-emptying scan. There is no role for repeat anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion testing, or a trial of biofeedback therapy in this patient. 
 
References  
1. Wald A, Bharucha AE, Cosman BC, Whitehead WE. ACG clinical guideline: management of benign anorectal disorders. Am J Gastroenterol. 2014;109(8):1141-57.  
2. Bharucha AE, Pemberton JH, Locke GR 3rd. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on constipation. Gastroenterology. 2013;144:218. 
 
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