A constipation assessment scale for use in pediatric oncology.
Constipation is prevalent in pediatric oncology patients because of treatment with vinca alkaloids and/or narcotics and lifestyle changes secondary to disease process. Sequelae of constipation include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, emergency department visits, and a decrease in quality of life. There are no reliable instruments to measure constipation in children. A pilot study (N = 21) evaluating the presence and severity of constipation and the reliability and validity of a modified version of the adult Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) in children with cancer was conducted. Patients receiving weekly vinca alkaloids and/or narcotics = 2 times per day were recruited. Initial bowel function assessments included standardized nursing and nutrition assessments, history/physical review, and baseline CAS score repeated at 1 hour to assess test-retest reliability. Subsequent assessments included CAS administered 3 times per week and daily patient bowel diaries. Test-retest reliability was evident (r = .93; P = .000). Acceptable construct validity was indicated by a difference in mean CAS scores (t = 4.4, P <.001). Patients reported difficulty with CAS questions and response selections. Symptoms asked on CAS were often not viewed as a problem.
Research and Practice Development Service, Nursing and Patient Care Services at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1664, USA. mwoolery@cc.nih.go
Myra
M
Woolery
Ellen
E
Carroll
Elizabeth
E
Fenn
Holly
H
Wieland
Paul
P
Jarosinski
Barbara
B
Corey
Gwenyth R
GR
Wallen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires