Skip to content

Effects of Botox in Obstructed Defecation Syndrome

Effects of Type A Botulinum Toxin in Obstructed Defecation Syndrome: a Phase II Randomized, Parallel-Group, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02160288
Enrollment
1
Registered
2014-06-10
Start date
2016-02-29
Completion date
2019-06-11
Last updated
2020-05-12

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS)

Keywords

Botox, Obstructed Defecation Syndrome, ODS, Outlet-Type Constipation, injection

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if Botulinum Toxin-A (Botox) injection will improve symptoms of constipation in obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS).

Detailed description

Constipation represents one of the five most common physician diagnoses for gut disorders. Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is an under-treated condition which accounts for 30%- 50% of all patients with constipation and it is more common as people age. ODS is due to the abnormal contraction of the puborectalis muscle (a muscle around the anus that should relax during defecation). Biofeedback therapy and medical management are the standards of care for ODS. Typically patients are first managed with dietary modifications (fiber supplementation, increased fluids) and medication (laxatives, enemas). If constipation is not improved, they will undergo biofeedback, which lasts from 3-8 sessions on average. Biofeedback acts on the cause of ODS and it has good short-term success, but around 50%-70% of treated patients re-experience constipation after one year. The main drawbacks of biofeedback for ODS are the facts that it is expensive, time-consuming, available in few select-centers and its success depends very much on the provider. Biofeedback is delivered in multiple 1-hour clinic sessions, so many patients don't finish all recommended sessions and their constipation may recur faster. Botox also acts on the cause of ODS and was shown to improve constipation within 1-3 weeks after the injection. Botox is delivered as a one-time injection in the puborectalis muscle and external anal sphincter (the muscle right around the anus). The injection can be performed in the clinic under local anesthesia, and the patient goes home afterwards. Currently, Botox is used for treatment of patients who fail biofeedback and medical management, to avoid the options of last resort (resection of the colon with stoma). To this day, no adequately designed study has confirmed that Botox is indeed superior to placebo (normal saline) for the treatment of ODS. The results from this study will provide valuable data on the ability of Botox to improve symptoms of constipation and the duration of its effect. This project has the potential to increase the availability of effective treatments for ODS.

Interventions

100 Units diluted in a 5 cc syringe at a concentration of 20U/mL

DRUGNormal Saline

Dispensed in a 5 cc syringe

Sponsors

Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Males and females 18 years or older of all races and backgrounds * Competent to give informed consent * Meet the Rome III diagnostic criteria for functional constipation * Inability to relax the puborectalis muscle at electromyography * Altomare Obstructed Defecation Syndrome score of 15 points or above * Failure of treatment with 2 conservative measures which may be as follows: * 1 laxative (osmotic or stimulant) for 2 weeks * 1 fiber supplement for one month * And/or trial of biofeedback for at least 4 sessions

Exclusion criteria

* Previous treatment with Botox (possible antibodies) * Known hypersensitivity to any of the components of the toxin * Medication regimen includes narcotics * Previous radiation therapy to the anal canal and rectum * Prior proctectomy * Presence of unhealed and symptomatic anal fissure * Presence of anal pain * Presence of fecal incontinence * Presence of full thickness rectal prolapse * Presence of internal sphincter myopathy * Inflammatory bowel disease or proctitis * Pregnancy or breast-feeding * Subject is currently enrolled/ just finished participating in a clinical trial in which the intervention/ its carry-over effect may interact with the intervention in this trial

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes in the Altomare Obstructed Defecation Syndrome- Score (ODS-S) and Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of Life Score (PAC-QoL)Baseline, 1 month after injectionThe primary outcome measure will be the change from baseline in the sum of ODS-S and PAC-QoL at 1 month after the Botox injection. This measures the symptomatic improvement in ODS. ODS (altomare obstructed defecation syndrome score) scores range from 0 (minimum) to 31 (maximum) where 31 is the most severe (worse outcome) and 0 is no symptoms (better outcome). The scale for PAC-QoL (Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of life score) is a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 112 where 0 is highest quality of life (better outcome) and 112 is lowest quality of life (worse outcome) Larger number for change would suggest a better outcome

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes in the Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of Life Score (PAC-QoL)Assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 monthsPAC-QoL is Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of Life Score. The scale for PAC-QoL is 0 minimum score to 112 maximum score where 0 is highest quality of life (better outcome) and 112 is lowest quality of life (worse outcome). Since we are looking for a change in score, the minimum change would be 0 and the maximum change would be 112. A higher change would suggest a better outcome.
Changes in Health-Related Quality of LifeBaseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 monthsMedical outcomes survey short form (SF-36 version 1) will be used to measure changes in the health-related quality of life.This is a measure of efficacy. The score ranges from 0-100 where 0 is maximum impact on health and 100 is no impact on health
Changes in Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFI)Assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 monthsThis is a measure of Botox-specific adverse events. The score is a total of answers of questions. The score range is 0-20 where 0 is perfect incontinence and 20 is complete incontinence.
Changes in Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQoL)Assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 monthsThis is a measure of Botox-specific adverse events. This fecal incontinence quality of life scale (FIQoL) scale ranges from 4 as the minimum and 20 as maximum. lower score indicates lower quality of life (worse outcome) and higher score has better quality of life (better outcome).
Changes in the Altomare ODS Score (ODS-S)Assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 monthsThe scale title is obstructed defecation score, the minimum value is 0 and the maximum value is 31 for the ODS score. This measures the symptomatic improvement in ODS. ODS scores range from 0-31 where 31 is the most severe and 0 is no symptoms. A higher score would suggest a better outcome.
Success of Balloon Expulsion TestBaseline, 1 month follow-up visitThis is a measure of efficacy.
Change in Anal Sphincter FunctionBaseline, 1 month follow-up visitThe changes in anal sphincter function will be assessed by anorectal manometry. This test will measure the resting sphincter pressure, maximal resting anal pressure, maximum squeeze pressure. The change in anal sphincter function is a measure of treatment efficacy. The minimum score for resting sphincter pressure is 0 and the maximum is 200. The minimum squeeze pressure is 10 and the maximum is 200. The lower score is suggested of decreased tone and worse outcome, where high scores may suggest worse outcome in terms of sphincter function.
Change in Defecation IndexBaseline, 1 month follow-up visitThe defecation index=maximum rectal pressure during attempted defecation/minimum anal residual pressure during attempted defecation. This is calculated based on measurements obtained from anorectal manometry and is a measure of treatment efficacy. Scores can change from 0 (meaning no change- least effective) to 1 meaning that the change shows complete relaxation with defecation.
Relaxation of Puborectalis With Push Measured by EMGBaseline, 1 month follow-up visitThis is a measure of efficacy.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Botulinum Toxin-A
Patients will receive Botulinum Toxin-A (Botox) injected in the puborectalis muscle and external anal sphincter. We will use 100 units of Botox, a dose with a good safety profile that has been proven to work in previous studies performed in adults. Botulinum Toxin-A: 100 Units diluted in a 5 cc syringe at a concentration of 20U/mL
1
Normal Saline
Patients will receive normal saline (placebo) injected in the puborectalis muscle and external anal sphincter. Normal Saline: Dispensed in a 5 cc syringe
0
Total1

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicBotulinum Toxin-ANormal SalineTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
ODS score20 units on a scale20 units on a scale
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 10 / 0
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 10 / 0
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 10 / 0

Outcome results

Primary

Changes in the Altomare Obstructed Defecation Syndrome- Score (ODS-S) and Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of Life Score (PAC-QoL)

The primary outcome measure will be the change from baseline in the sum of ODS-S and PAC-QoL at 1 month after the Botox injection. This measures the symptomatic improvement in ODS. ODS (altomare obstructed defecation syndrome score) scores range from 0 (minimum) to 31 (maximum) where 31 is the most severe (worse outcome) and 0 is no symptoms (better outcome). The scale for PAC-QoL (Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of life score) is a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 112 where 0 is highest quality of life (better outcome) and 112 is lowest quality of life (worse outcome) Larger number for change would suggest a better outcome

Time frame: Baseline, 1 month after injection

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-AChanges in the Altomare Obstructed Defecation Syndrome- Score (ODS-S) and Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of Life Score (PAC-QoL)3 change in score on a scale
Secondary

Change in Anal Sphincter Function

The changes in anal sphincter function will be assessed by anorectal manometry. This test will measure the resting sphincter pressure, maximal resting anal pressure, maximum squeeze pressure. The change in anal sphincter function is a measure of treatment efficacy. The minimum score for resting sphincter pressure is 0 and the maximum is 200. The minimum squeeze pressure is 10 and the maximum is 200. The lower score is suggested of decreased tone and worse outcome, where high scores may suggest worse outcome in terms of sphincter function.

Time frame: Baseline, 1 month follow-up visit

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-AChange in Anal Sphincter Function56.3 change of score
Secondary

Change in Defecation Index

The defecation index=maximum rectal pressure during attempted defecation/minimum anal residual pressure during attempted defecation. This is calculated based on measurements obtained from anorectal manometry and is a measure of treatment efficacy. Scores can change from 0 (meaning no change- least effective) to 1 meaning that the change shows complete relaxation with defecation.

Time frame: Baseline, 1 month follow-up visit

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-AChange in Defecation Index0 change in score on a scale
Secondary

Changes in Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFI)

This is a measure of Botox-specific adverse events. The score is a total of answers of questions. The score range is 0-20 where 0 is perfect incontinence and 20 is complete incontinence.

Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 months

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-AChanges in Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFI)2 change in score on a scale
Secondary

Changes in Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQoL)

This is a measure of Botox-specific adverse events. This fecal incontinence quality of life scale (FIQoL) scale ranges from 4 as the minimum and 20 as maximum. lower score indicates lower quality of life (worse outcome) and higher score has better quality of life (better outcome).

Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 months

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-AChanges in Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQoL)18 change in score on a scale
Secondary

Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life

Medical outcomes survey short form (SF-36 version 1) will be used to measure changes in the health-related quality of life.This is a measure of efficacy. The score ranges from 0-100 where 0 is maximum impact on health and 100 is no impact on health

Time frame: Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 months

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-AChanges in Health-Related Quality of Life1 change in score on a scale
Secondary

Changes in the Altomare ODS Score (ODS-S)

The scale title is obstructed defecation score, the minimum value is 0 and the maximum value is 31 for the ODS score. This measures the symptomatic improvement in ODS. ODS scores range from 0-31 where 31 is the most severe and 0 is no symptoms. A higher score would suggest a better outcome.

Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 months

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-AChanges in the Altomare ODS Score (ODS-S)18 score on a scale
Secondary

Changes in the Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of Life Score (PAC-QoL)

PAC-QoL is Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of Life Score. The scale for PAC-QoL is 0 minimum score to 112 maximum score where 0 is highest quality of life (better outcome) and 112 is lowest quality of life (worse outcome). Since we are looking for a change in score, the minimum change would be 0 and the maximum change would be 112. A higher change would suggest a better outcome.

Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection and value compared from baseline to 12 months

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-AChanges in the Patient Assessment of Constipation- Quality of Life Score (PAC-QoL)21 change in score on a scale
Secondary

Relaxation of Puborectalis With Push Measured by EMG

This is a measure of efficacy.

Time frame: Baseline, 1 month follow-up visit

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Botulinum Toxin-ARelaxation of Puborectalis With Push Measured by EMG0 participants
Secondary

Success of Balloon Expulsion Test

This is a measure of efficacy.

Time frame: Baseline, 1 month follow-up visit

Population: since there was only one participant, analysis of the data is limited

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Botulinum Toxin-ASuccess of Balloon Expulsion Test1 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026