Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 18, 2023
Constipation and soiling--outcome of treatment at one year
L A B McDonald1, A C Rennie, D M Tappin
1Department of Community Child Health, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill NHS Trust, Glasgow.
Insights
This study found that many children with soiling issues face long treatment delays and complex family factors. Outpatient clinics may not be the ideal setting for managing childhood constipation and soiling effectively.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Soiling in children is a common referral problem to outpatient clinics.
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment are frequent issues in pediatric soiling cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the one-year outcomes for children referred to outpatient clinics due to soiling.
- To identify factors influencing treatment success and patient satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case note audit was conducted on 34 children presenting with soiling.
- Data collected included referral reasons, symptom duration, and treatment status.
Main Results:
- After one year, only 29% of children were discharged satisfied; 38% defaulted, 24% remained in care, and 9% were re-referred.
- Many children had symptoms for over 12 months at referral (44% new, 89% re-referrals).
- Coexisting conditions like enuresis and family stress were noted, with only 18% receiving treatment upon referral.
Conclusions:
- Constipation leading to soiling is often diagnosed late, complicating treatment.
- Management requires addressing social and family issues alongside medical treatment.
- Hospital-based general outpatient clinics may not be optimally suited for managing complex pediatric constipation and soiling.
Aim:
To assess the outcome at one year of a cohort of patients referred to outpatient clinics with soiling.
Method:
Retrospective case note audit of 34 children referred to hospital outpatients over a four month period with soiling stated as the main problem in the referral letter.
Results:
After one year, 29% of the 34 children studied were discharged to patient satisfaction, 38% defaulted from follow up, 24% were still attending outpatient clinics and 9% had been referred back to source. Coexisting pathologies, in particular enuresis and family stress, were found in several of the children. At the time of referral, 44% of new patients and 89% of re-referrals bad symptoms present for longer than 12 months. Only 18% of the children were receiving treatment at the time referral was made.
Conclusion:
Constipation is often undiagnosed until the problem is well established with soiling present, which makes treatment a long and often difficult process. It is necessary to consider the wider social and family issues when managing a child with constipation and soiling. Hospital based general medical and surgical outpatient clinics may not be the ideal setting in which to deal with these problems.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
01:17Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:25Endoscopic Procedures II: Colonoscopy
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...