title: Health related quality of life in children with constipation-associated fecal incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  With a disease-specific questionnaire, this study aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with constipation in association with clinical characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with constipation-associated fecal incontinence (n = 114), 8 to 18 years, filled out the Defecation Disorder List at a Dutch tertiary hospital. Correlations and linear regression analysis between clinical characteristics and scores on emotional and social functioning were calculated. Specific concerns of children were described by individual item scores of these domains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher frequency of fecal incontinence episodes was associated with lower emotional and social functioning. Linear regression analysis showed a significant association between social functioning and fecal incontinence, but the variance of the model was low (adjusted R(2)= 0.08). Between 70% to 80% of children were concerned about experiencing fecal incontinence unnoticeably and the attendant social consequences. Children did not report having fewer friends and participated well in social events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower HRQoL regarding disease-specific emotional and social functioning was reported in children with frequent episodes of constipation-associated fecal incontinence. However, other nonspecified factors may also influence HRQoL of these children. Most children reported relatively more emotional concerns than social consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. bongers@amc.nl
authors.forename: Marloes E J
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bongers
authors.forename: Marieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Benninga
authors.forename: Martha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grootenhuis
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003248:Constipation / Q000523:psychology*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D011788:Quality of Life; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires