Abstract
Background: Measurement of colonic transit time (CTT) is sometimes used in the evaluation of patients with chronic constipation. Aim: To investigate the relation between symptoms and CTT, and to assess the importance of symptoms and CTT in predicting outcome. Methods: Between 1995 and 2000, 169 consecutive patients (median age 8.4 years, 65% boys) fulfilling the criteria for constipation were enrolled. During the intervention and follow up period, all kept a diary to record symptoms. CTT was measured at entry to the study. Results: At entry, defecation frequency was lower in girls than in boys, while the frequency of encopresis episodes was higher in boys. CTT values were significantly higher in those with a low defecation frequency (less than or equal to 1/week) and a high frequency of encopresis (greater than or equal to 2/day). However, 50% had CTT values within the normal range. Successful outcome occurred more often in those with a rectal impaction. CTT results,100 hours were not predictive of outcome. However, those with CTT > 100 hours were less likely to have had a successful outcome. Conclusion: The presence of a rectal impaction at presentation is associated with a better outcome at one year. A CTT > 100 hours is associated with a poor outcome at one year
Original language | Undefined/Unknown |
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Pages (from-to) | 723-727 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Archives of disease in childhood |
Volume | 89 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2004 |
Keywords
- AMC wi-eigen
- Child
- Chronic Disease
- Colon/physiopathology
- Constipation/physiopathology
- Defecation/physiology
- Encopresis/physiopathology
- Fecal Impaction/physiopathology
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Transit/physiology
- Humans
- Male
- Prognosis
- Rectum/physiopathology
- Severity of Illness Index
- Sex Factors