Long-term follow-up of bowel management after spinal cord injury

Although neurogenic bowel is a major sequelae of spinal cord injury (SCI), little is known about long-term outcomes of bowel management. The major purposes of this study were to: 1) describe bowel management programs, 2) determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, including evacuation problems and GI symptoms, 3) describe the impact of neurogenic bowel on life activities, 4) describe satisfaction with bowel management and, 5) identify the relationship between outcomes and selected injury characteristics. A telephone survey questionnaire was administered to 171 adults with a mean SCI duration of 8.9 years (SD = 8.9) and mean age of 39.5 years (SD = 14.5). The most common bowel program reported was chemical rectal stimulant (39%). The average dietary fiber intake was 6.8 grams (SD = 4.6). The prevalence of total GI complaints was 90% and 76% during the past year and the past month, respectively. Despite the high prevalence of complaints, overall satisfaction was high. Persons with long-term SCI can benefit from continuing assessment by the rehabilitation team, dietary instruction on fiber needs, and dissemination of information on new methods or treatments. Future research needs include prospective studies to assess change over time and to test interventions to improve outcomes.