A new study tested a the effectiveness of a bulking agent in the treatment of fecal incontinence over the course of six months, according to WebMD. The study followed 206 patients suffering from fecal incontinence. 136 received four anal injections of dextranomer in stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA Dx), while the remaining 70 patients received fake injections. NASHA Dx is sold as a treatment for urinary incontinence.
After six months, 52 percent of patients who received NASHA Dx injections reported an improvement in their condition, with at least a 50 percent decrease in episodes of fecal incontinence. Of the patients who received a fake treatment, 31 percent reported a 50 percent improvement.
Some side effects were reported. Of the patients who received NASHA Dx injections, 14 percent reported painful rectal spasms, while 3 percent of the patients who received the fake injection reported the same symptom. Among the patients who received the active treatment, two serious abscess-related incidents were reported.
