Pseudodiarrhea

Pseudodiarrhea, formerly known as hyperdefecation, is defined as increased stool frequency (more than three times daily) with a normal daily stool weight of less than 300 g (Fine and Schiller, 1999).

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Pseudodiarrhea is often associated with rectal urgency and accompanies irritable bowel syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and anorectal disorders such as proctitis. Patients with rectal obstruction (e.g., from fecal impaction, obstruction due to a vaginal pessary) may also present with pseudodiarrhea, since only liquid stool can make it through (Chou and Yu, 2003; Tatar and Trivedi, 2005).

Pseudodiarrhea may be more common than chronic diarrhea and should always be considered in patients complaining of chronic diarrhea.

References

• Ahlquist DA, Camilleri M (2005). "Chapter 35: Diarrhea and constipation", in Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci A, Hauser S, Longo D, Jameson JL: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill Professional.  ISBN 0-07-140235-7
• Chou YC, Yu KJ (2003). "Entrapped vaginal pessary presented with frequency and urge incontinence". J Chin Med Assoc 66 (3): 181-3. PMID 12779040
• Fine KD, Schiller LR (1999). "AGA technical review on the evaluation and management of chronic diarrhea". Gastroenterology 116 (6): 1464-86. PMID 10348832
• Tatar EL, Trivedi C (2005). "Pseudodiarrhea caused by vaginal pessary in an elderly patient". J Am Geriatr Soc 53 (6): 1083. PMID 15935050