title: Rectal irrigation in the management of functional bowel disorders: a review.
abstract: Faecal incontinence and constipation are examples of functional bowel disorders that can lead to distressing psychological and physical symptoms which seriously impact upon quality of life. Rectal irrigation has been introduced as a treatment option for such patients. This article critically reviews and evaluates the current evidence on the effectiveness of rectal irrigation as a management option for functional bowel disorders. The review was conducted using BIOSIS, AHMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Web of Knowledge. From 1051 articles identified through the literacy search, only nine were specifically concerned with the evaluation of rectal irrigation as a treatment option for functional bowel disorders. The results of the literature review do indicate that rectal irrigation could be a successful treatment option for some people, however, variations between studies and methodological limitations mean evidence of the effectiveness of rectal irrigation is lacking.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield.
authors.forename: Angela Mary
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tod
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stringer
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Levery
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003248:Constipation / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004733:Enema / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012007:Rectum; D012107:Research Design; D012944:Social Support; D013222:State Medicine; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom