Commentary- Bridging the Gap: The Impact of Bowel Management Programs on Daily Life in Pediatric Colorectal Disease

Background

This commentary discusses the social impact of bowel management programs (BMPs) on children with colorectal diseases, including anorectal malformations (ARM), Hirschsprung disease (HD), functional constipation (FC), and spina bifida. Previous studies focused on functional outcomes, but this study bridges the gap to daily life experiences.

Methods

The study examined children's experiences in BMPs, focusing on school participation, vacation ability, and overall patient experience. Cleanliness, defined as fewer than one stool soiling episode per week, was achieved by 70% of participants.

Results

Positive patient experiences were linked to achieving stool cleanliness, regardless of the management method. Invasive methods like enemas did not negatively affect experiences if cleanliness was maintained. Validated patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) and patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) were used, though the median age of 8.9 years posed limitations.

Conclusion

The commentary highlights the significance of stool cleanliness in improving patient experiences and supports the effectiveness of various BMP methods. Future research should include longitudinal follow-ups to assess BMP durability and gather data from older children.