Skip to content

Treatment of Fecal Incontinence and Constipation in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

Treatment of Fecal Incontinence and Constipation in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury - a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Multicentre Trial of Transanal Irrigation Vs. Conservative Bowel Management

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00286520
Enrollment
80
Registered
2006-02-03
Start date
2003-12-31
Completion date
2005-08-31
Last updated
2006-02-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Constipation, Fecal Incontinence, Spinal Cord Injury

Keywords

Constipation, Fecal incontinence, Spinal cord injury, transanal irrigation, quality of life

Brief summary

The study aims to compare a newly developed system for transanal colonic irrigation (Peristeen Anal Irrigation) with a bowel management regime that does not include irrigation in a prospective, randomized trial in spinal cord lesion patients (SCL- patients) with faecal incontinence and/or constipation. Population; 80 SCL- patients with faecal incontinence and/or constipation from five countries. Focus on: Bowel symptom score Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction score Symptom related quality of life questionnaire Time expenditure for performance of bowel care ans side effects

Detailed description

The magnitude of bowel dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients has been documented in several studies. Spinal cord injury affects colorectal motility, transit times, and bowel emptying often leading to constipation, fecal incontinence or a combination of both. Although these symptoms are not life-threatening, they may have a severe impact on quality of life as well as increase levels of anxiety and depression. Various bowel management programs have been empirical, and individual solutions have been sought on a trial-and-error basis. Transanal irrigation has been used in selected patients with constipation or fecal incontinence. The majority of spinal cord injured patients in a recent study benefited from the treatment. However, there is limited evidence in the literature supporting any bowel management program in spinal cord injury in favor of another and well-designed controlled trials are still lacking. Therefore, the present study aims to compare transanal irrigation with conservative bowel management, defined as best supportive bowel care without irrigation, in a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicentre study among spinal cord injured patients with neurogenic bowel dysfunction.

Interventions

PROCEDURETransanal irrigation with Peristeen Anal Irrigation

Sponsors

Coloplast A/S
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute S.p.A.
CollaboratorOTHER
National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, United Kingdom,
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg, Germany,
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Karolinska University Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Central Jutland Regional Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Aarhus
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Aged 18 or over * Spinal cord lesion at any level at least 3 months from injury * At least one or more of the following symptoms: * Spending ½ hour or more attempting to defecate each day or every second day * Symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia before or during defecation * Abdominal discomfort before or during defecation * Episodes of faecal incontinence once or more per month * The patient is able to understand the treatment and is willing to comply with the prescribed regimen * The patient is able to perform transanal colonic irrigation seated on a toilet commode with or without assistance * Signed informed consent has been obtained

Exclusion criteria

* Co-existing major unsolved physical problems due to the injury * Perform transanal retrograde irrigation on a regular basis * Evidence of bowel obstruction * Evidence of inflammatory bowel disease * History of cerebral palsy or cerebral apoplexy * Multiple sclerosis * Diabetic polyneuropathy * Previous abdominal or perianal surgery (not including minor surgery as appendectomy or haemorrhoidectomy) * Pregnant or lactating * Evidence of spinal chock * Mentally unstable * Treatment with more than 5 mg prednisolon per day. * PNS implant (sacral nerve stimulation)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Cleveland Clinic Constipaton Scoring System
St. Mark's Fecal Incontinence Grading System

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Score
American Society of Colorectal Surgeon Fecal Incontinence Score

Countries

Denmark

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026