Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
A study was conducted to validate a constipation questionnaire based on the Rome III criteria.
Methods
Women attending outpatient clinics completed a constipation questionnaire based on the Rome III Criteria. The internal reliability, the test–retest as well as the content and construct validity of the questionnaire were evaluated.
Results
Two hundred one women were studied. Of the women, 28% (56/201) reported constipation but only 14% of these (8/56) could be defined as constipated accordingly to the Rome III Criteria. Nine percent of women (13/145) who did not report constipation were classified as constipated accordingly to the Rome III Criteria. The questionnaire had good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.85 and ICC of 0.85). However, the questionnaire did not have significant construct validity with patients’ self-report of constipation, stool frequency and stool form (Pearson chi-square P > 0.05).
Conclusions
The Rome III Criteria questionnaire is a reliable and reproducible tool but does not appear to be a valid instrument in diagnosing constipation.
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Acknowledgements
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Funding
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Conflicts of interest
There are no commercial relationships such as: consultancies, stock ownership or other equity interests, patents received and/or pending, or any commercial relationship which might be in any way considered related to the submitted article. There are no sources of funding for this study. This study was presented at the 33rd International Urogynecology Association meeting, Taipei (Taiwan) 15-17 September 2008.
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Appendix 1
Appendix 1
Constipation questionnaire (Please tick one answer)
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1.
In the last 3 months, how often did you have discomfort or pain anywhere in your abdomen?
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a.
Never → Skip to question 9
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b.
Less than one day a month □
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c.
One day a month □
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d.
Two to three days a month □
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e.
One day a week □
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f.
More than one day a week □
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g.
Every day □
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a.
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2.
For women: Did this discomfort or pain occur only during your menstrual bleeding and not at other times?
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a.
No □
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b.
Yes □
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c.
Does not apply because I have had the change in life (menopause) or I am a male. □
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a.
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3.
Have you had this discomfort or pain 6 months or longer?
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a.
No □
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b.
Yes □
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a.
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4.
How often did this discomfort or pain get better or stop after you had a bowel movement?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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5.
When this discomfort or pain started, did you have more frequent bowel movements?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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6.
When this discomfort or pain started, did you have less frequent bowel movements?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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7.
When this discomfort or pain started, were your stools (bowel movements) looser?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
-
a.
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8.
When this discomfort or pain started, how often did you have harder stools?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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9.
In the last 3 months, how often did you have fewer than three bowel movements (0-2) a week?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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10.
In the last 3 months, how often did you have hard or lumpy stools?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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11.
In the last 3 months, how often did you strain during bowel movements?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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12.
In the last 3 months, how often did you have a feeling of incomplete emptying after bowel movements?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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13.
In the last 3 months, how often did you have a sensation that the stool could not be passed, (i.e., blocked), when having a bowel movement?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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14.
In the last 3 months, how often did you press on or around your bottom or remove stool in order to complete a bowel movement?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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15.
In the last 3 months, how often did you have difficulty relaxing or letting go to allow the stool to come out during a bowel movement?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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16.
Did any of the symptoms of constipation listed in questions 9-15 above begin more than 6 months ago?
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a.
No □
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b.
Yes □
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a.
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17.
In the last 3 months, how often did you have loose, mushy or watery stools?
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a.
Never or rarely □
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b.
Sometimes □
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c.
Often □
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d.
Most of the time □
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e.
Always □
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a.
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Digesu, G.A., Panayi, D., Kundi, N. et al. Validity of the Rome III Criteria in assessing constipation in women. Int Urogynecol J 21, 1185–1193 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1179-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1179-0