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Stool form scale as a useful guide to intestinal transit time

S J Lewis¹, K W Heaton

¹University Dept. of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology

|September 23, 1997

Summary

The Bristol Stool Form Scale effectively monitors changes in intestinal transit time. This validated tool shows utility in clinical practice and research for assessing gut function.

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Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Clinical Medicine
Physiology

Background:

Stool form scales offer a simple method for assessing intestinal transit rate.
Their clinical and research use is limited by a lack of evidence regarding responsiveness to transit time changes.
This study aimed to evaluate the Bristol Stool Form Scale's responsiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the responsiveness of the Bristol Stool Form Scale to alterations in intestinal transit time.
To determine if stool form changes correlate with measured whole-gut transit time (WGTT).

Main Methods:

Sixty-six volunteers had their whole-gut transit time (WGTT) measured using radiopaque marker pellets.
Stool weight, stool form (7-point scale), and defecatory frequency were recorded.
WGTT was pharmacologically altered using senna and loperamide, with measurements repeated.

Main Results:

Baseline WGTT correlated with stool form (r = -0.54, P < 0.001).
Senna decreased WGTT while increasing stool form score and frequency (P < 0.001).
Loperamide induced opposite changes. Changes in WGTT strongly correlated with changes in stool form (r = -0.65, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The Bristol Stool Form Scale is a responsive tool for monitoring changes in intestinal function.
Stool form scales demonstrate utility in both clinical practice and research settings.
This study provides evidence for the scale's validity in assessing intestinal transit.

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