HOW ACCURATE IS THE RECALL OF BOWEL HABITS IN CHILDREN WITH DEFECATION DISORDERS

The aim was to assess in children with defaecation disorders, the accu racy of recalled information as provided by the child and/or parents c ompared to diary information and to evaluate its effect on diagnostic grouping. In this prospective study, recalled information, obtained in itially by a telephone interview, was compared with recorded informati on provided by a 4-week diary. Recalled and recorded data were compare d using Kappa indices. Subsequently, children were assigned to three d iagnostic groups: constipation, solitary encopresis and a rest group. Based on these diagnoses, the first two groups were allocated for laxa tive treatment. Analysis of recalled and recorded data was performed i n 46 children (5-14 years). Most defaecation parameters showed fair ag reement, only limited agreement occurred for frequency of soiling epis odes. Identical clinical groups using the two methods were obtained in 63% of the children. Particularly, the assessment of large amounts of stool and the number of soiling episodes were responsible for the shi ft in the diagnostic groups. A total of 83% children were correctly al located for treatment using recalled data. Conclusion Recalled data ca n accurately be used in a daily clinical setting but special attention is necessary for soiling episodes and the size of stool.