title: Application of transanal irrigation for patients with spinal cord injury in South Korea: a 6-month follow-up study.
abstract: METHODS
  A 6-month follow-up study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the outcome of transanal irrigation (TAI) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify factors significantly related to clinical success.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey for community-dwelling patients with SCI in South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2010 and March 2012, TAI was initiated with 52 patients (41 men; age: 44.5±11.0 years) with neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD). At 1, 3 and 6 months after initiation, a telephone interview was conducted. Data were collected on patient-specific bowel management and TAI performance as a new procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 18 patients (34%) used TAI for at least 6 months, which was a lower compliance rate than similar studies in some European countries. Relative to the compliant group, the noncompliant group contained a higher proportion of tetraplegia than paraplegia (P=0.031), and a higher proportion dependent on physical help (P=0.034). In all, 33 of the 52 patients (63.5%) complained of practical problems with the TAI procedure such as expulsion of the rectal catheter. Fifteen patients (28.8%) presented with adverse effects. The incidence of practical problems or adverse effects did not alter the frequency of patient-reported successful outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Korean participants showed a relatively lower compliance rate with TAI. We conclude that TAI, combined with adequate patient instruction and physical assistance, has potential as a management tool for NBD in Korea.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
authors: H R
authors: HR
authors: Kim
authors: B S
authors: BS
authors: Lee
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Lee
authors: H I
authors: HI
authors: Shin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055496:Neurogenic Bowel / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult