Measuring the symptoms of pediatric constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: expert commentary and literature review.

BACKGROUND

Symptom measurement in pediatric chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) trials requires appropriately developed clinical outcome assessments (COAs).

METHODS

Literature was reviewed to identify symptom COAs meeting regulatory standards. Searches were conducted in Pubmed/Medline, EMBASE, and PsychINFO. Title/abstracts were reviewed to identify qualitative studies and those using COAs to measure pediatric CIC/IBS symptoms. Pediatric functional gastrointestinal experts provided input on relevant symptom-concepts to measure.

RESULTS

Review of 1,105 abstracts identified 1 relevant qualitative article and 113 articles including COAs. Symptoms most frequently measured in CIC studies were frequency of bowel movements, fecal incontinence/encopresis, abdominal pain, stool consistency, and painful defecation. Symptoms most frequently measured in IBS were abdominal pain, abdominal distention/bloating, stool consistency, frequency of bowel movements, and gas. Evidence of development/validity of COAs was limited. Expert feedback was broadly consistent with the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings demonstrate consistency in the literature on key CIC/IBS symptoms to measure in pediatric trials, but existing COAs do not meet regulatory standards.