Health Related Quality of Life in Children with Constipation-Associated Fecal Incontinence

Objectives

With a disease-specific questionnaire, this study aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with constipation in association with clinical characteristics.

Study design

Children with constipation-associated fecal incontinence (n = 114), 8 to 18 years, filled out the Defecation Disorder List at a Dutch tertiary hospital. Correlations and linear regression analysis between clinical characteristics and scores on emotional and social functioning were calculated. Specific concerns of children were described by individual item scores of these domains.

Results

Higher frequency of fecal incontinence episodes was associated with lower emotional and social functioning. Linear regression analysis showed a significant association between social functioning and fecal incontinence, but the variance of the model was low (adjusted R²= 0.08). Between 70% to 80% of children were concerned about experiencing fecal incontinence unnoticeably and the attendant social consequences. Children did not report having fewer friends and participated well in social events.

Conclusion

Lower HRQoL regarding disease-specific emotional and social functioning was reported in children with frequent episodes of constipation-associated fecal incontinence. However, other nonspecified factors may also influence HRQoL of these children. Most children reported relatively more emotional concerns than social consequences.

Abbreviations: DDL, Defecation disorder list, HRQoL, Health-related quality of life