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).

Additional recommended knowledge

Weighing the right way

Safe Weighing Range Ensures Accurate Results

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

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