Article

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and type of bowel symptoms, and their
impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults with cerebral palsy
(CP). DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study.
SETTING: Urban, outpatient
rehabilitation facility. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with CP (N=91; 46 men, 45 women;
mean age, 36y; age range,
18-79y). INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Participants were interviewed using standardized instruments to assess
the frequency and types of bowel dysfunction. The International Consultation of
Incontinence Questionnaire-Bowel was used to assess bowel incontinence and impact
on quality of life, and constipation presence was determined using the Rome III
criteria for constipation. Constipation symptoms were rated by the Patient
Assessment of Constipation-Symptom Scale. Participants' mobility status was
classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).
Interactions between mobility measures, anthropometric measures, and bowel
symptoms were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 91 participants enrolled, 62.6% were
GMFCS IV or V. Twenty-eight participants (30.8%) reported severe difficulty with
control of liquid stool (rating never or rarely); these participants were more
likely to have a greater GMFCS level (P=.0004). Twenty-six participants (28.6%)
reported that bowel function caused embarrassment some/most/all of the time.
Fifty-nine participants (64.8%) met criteria for chronic constipation, which did
not differ by GMFCS levels. Overall, 57.1% of participants reported that bowel
symptoms interfered with life; 40.7% reported moderate to severe interference.
CONCLUSIONS: Bowel symptoms were frequent, a source of embarrassment, and
impacted HRQOL in these adults with CP. Addressing bowel-related symptoms has the
potential to improve HRQOL in these adults.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS