Assessment of Commonly Used Pediatric Stool Scales: A pilot study

Background: The Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) and a modified child-friendly version (M-BSFS) are frequently used in clinical practice and research. These scales have not been validated in children. 3-D stool scale models may be better adapted to the child's development. Aims: To assess the usefulness of the BSFS, M-BSFS, and a newly developed 3-D stool scale in children. Methods: Fifty children were asked to rank the picture cards of the BSFS and 3-D models from hardest to softest and to match the pictures with descriptors for each stool type. Results: Thirty percent of the children appropriately characterized the stools as hard, loose, or normal using the BSFS vs. 36.6% with the 3-D model (p=0.27). Appropriate correlation of stools as hard, loose, or normal consistency using the BSFS vs. the 3-D model by age group was: 6 to 11-year-olds, 27.5% vs. 33.3% (p=0.58) and 12 to 17-year-olds, 32.1% vs. 39.5% (p=0.41). Thirty-three percent correlated the BSFS pictures with the correct BSFS words, 46% appropriately correlated with the M-BSFS words, and 46% correlated the 3-D stool models with the correct wording. Conclusions: The BSFS and M-BSFS that are widely used as stool assessment instruments are not user-friendly for children. The 3-D model was not found to be better than the BSFS and the M-BSFS

Prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Mexican schoolchildren

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are among the most common chronic disorders in children worldwide. Studies in schoolchildren from various Latin American countries have shown a high prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders, but their prevalence in Mexican schoolchildren is unknown. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Mexican schoolchildren in accordance with the Rome III criteria. Children and adolescents from public and private schools in Monterrey and Cuernavaca privately completed the Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III Version (QPGS-III) in class, using the same methods and questionnaires of previous studies conducted by our group in other Latin American countries. A total of 362 schoolchildren (public school 82, private school 280), with a mean age of 11.6±2.1 years completed the QPGS-III. Ninety-nine schoolchildren (27.3%) met the criteria for a FGID, according to the Rome III criteria. Functional constipation was the most common FGID (12.6%). Irritable bowel syndrome (6.4%) was the most common FGID associated with abdominal pain. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of FGIDs between sexes (P=.8). We found a high prevalence of FGIDs in Mexican school-aged children and adolescents. Los trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales se encuentran entre las condiciones crónicas más comunes en niños a nivel mundial. Estudios en escolares de varios países de Latinoamérica mostraron una alta prevalencia de estos trastornos. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de desórdenes funcionales gastrointestinales en escolares de México de acuerdo con los criterios de Roma III. Escolares de escuelas privadas y públicas de Monterrey y Cuernavaca completaron en forma privada la traducción al español del Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III (QPGS-III) en clase usando los mismos métodos que han sido utilizados por nuestro grupo en otros estudios en varios países de Latinoamérica. Un total de 362 niños y adolescentes (escuela pública 84, escuela privada 329) con una edad promedio de 11.6±2.1 años completaron el QPGS-III. Noventa y nueve escolares (27.3%) conformaron los criterios para un trastorno funcional gastrointestinal de acuerdo con los criterios de Roma III. Estreñimiento funcional fue el desorden funcional gastrointestinal más común (12.6%). El síndrome de intestino irritable (6.4%) fue el desorden funcional gastrointestinal asociado con dolor más comúnmente diagnosticado. No encontramos predominio de sexo en la prevalencia de desórdenes funcionales gastrointestinales (p=0.8). Los trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales son comunes en niños y adolescentes mexicanos de edad escolar

Prevalencia de trastornos gastrointestinales funcionales en escolares mexicanos

ResumenIntroducción y objetivosLos trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales se encuentran entre las condiciones crónicas más comunes en niños a nivel mundial. Estudios en escolares de varios países de Latinoamérica mostraron una alta prevalencia de estos trastornos. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de desórdenes funcionales gastrointestinales en escolares de México de acuerdo con los criterios de Roma III.Material y métodosEscolares de escuelas privadas y públicas de Monterrey y Cuernavaca completaron en forma privada la traducción al español del Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III (QPGS-III) en clase usando los mismos métodos que han sido utilizados por nuestro grupo en otros estudios en varios países de Latinoamérica.ResultadosUn total de 362 niños y adolescentes (escuela pública 84, escuela privada 329) con una edad promedio de 11.6±2.1 años completaron el QPGS-III. Noventa y nueve escolares (27.3%) conformaron los criterios para un trastorno funcional gastrointestinal de acuerdo con los criterios de Roma III. Estreñimiento funcional fue el desorden funcional gastrointestinal más común (12.6%). El síndrome de intestino irritable (6.4%) fue el desorden funcional gastrointestinal asociado con dolor más comúnmente diagnosticado. No encontramos predominio de sexo en la prevalencia de desórdenes funcionales gastrointestinales (p=0.8).ConclusionesLos trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales son comunes en niños y adolescentes mexicanos de edad escolar.AbstractIntroduction and aimsFunctional gastrointestinal disorders are among the most common chronic disorders in children worldwide. Studies in schoolchildren from various Latin American countries have shown a high prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders, but their prevalence in Mexican schoolchildren is unknown. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Mexican schoolchildren in accordance with the Rome III criteria.Material and methodsChildren and adolescents from public and private schools in Monterrey and Cuernavaca privately completed the Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III Version (QPGS-III) in class, using the same methods and questionnaires of previous studies conducted by our group in other Latin American countries.ResultsA total of 362 schoolchildren (public school 82, private school 280), with a mean age of 11.6±2.1 years completed the QPGS-III. Ninety-nine schoolchildren (27.3%) met the criteria for a FGID, according to the Rome III criteria. Functional constipation was the most common FGID (12.6%). Irritable bowel syndrome (6.4%) was the most common FGID associated with abdominal pain. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of FGIDs between sexes (P=.8).ConclusionsWe found a high prevalence of FGIDs in Mexican school-aged children and adolescents