Bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer treatment: a study comparing the specialist's versus patient's perspective.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate how bowel dysfunction after sphincter-preserving rectal cancer treatment, known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), is perceived by rectal cancer specialists, in relation to the patient's experience.

Design

Questionnaire study.

Setting

International.

Participants

58 rectal cancer specialists (45 colorectal surgeons and 13 radiation oncologists).

Research procedure

The Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Score (LARS score) is a five-item instrument for evaluation of LARS, which was developed from and validated on 961 patients. The 58 specialists individually completed two LARS score-based exercises. In Exercise 1, they were asked to select, from a list of bowel dysfunction issues, five items that they considered to disturb pat

SUBMITTER: Chen TY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3902194 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature