La proctalgie fugace: restons zen…

Proctalgia fugax is episodic rectal pain that generally develops into a chronic condition. Its prevalence in the general population is between 3 and 15 %, predominantly affecting women. The first bout of pain usually occurs between ages 45 and 55. Diagnosis is based on the patient interview. Typically, the pain occurs suddenly and unexpectedly without a triggering factor; it occurs most often at night and is paroxysmal and generally intense. The pain strikes the anal canal or lower rectum with no radiation from the point of origin. It is described as a cramp, spasm or stabbing pain that lasts for a variable length of time and completely subsides spontaneously. Patients are asymptomatic between bouts. Clinical examination and additional exploration produce normal results. The mechanism is not clear, but the most probable cause is spasm of the internal anal sphincter or rectal musculature. A simple explanation of the benign nature of the pain is enough to reassure the large majority of patients.