Validity and reliability of the Italian Constipation Assessment Scale

Abstract

Constipation is a common problem among oncology patients and requires careful assessment. Use of validated instruments is important to improving its management. The aim of this study was to validate the Italian translation of the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS). To test construct validity, patients and apparently healthy adults were asked to complete the CAS. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the median CAS of the patient group and that of the apparently healthy group. Test-retest reliability was very high (r=0.96; P=0.0001), and the internal consistency as assessed by Cronbach's alpha was 0.768. These findings suggest that the Italian CAS can be used in clinical practice to document the presence and severity of constipation in cancer patients. However, further studies should be conducted in a larger sample of patients to confirm the results.

Aquaporins in the Colon as a New Therapeutic Target in Diarrhea and Constipation

“…Morphine is a narcotic analgesic that has high potency but causes severe constipation as an adverse effect [ 2 , 3 ]. Morphine suppresses the peristaltic movements of the bowel, resulting in the development of constipation [ 53 ].…”

“…In recent years, the number of patients with constipation has been rapidly increasing due to the Westernization of dietary patterns and the aging society [ 1 ]. In palliative care, many patients are taking morphine for pain control, and almost all of these patients suffer from constipation [ 2 , 3 ]. Although they have received symptomatic therapies using laxatives, an adequate therapeutic effect is not always achieved.…”

Constipation is casting a shadow over everyday life – a systematic review on older people's experience of living with constipation

“…, Dal Molin et al . ). Yet, functional constipation is defined by the internationally acknowledged Rome III criteria as having ongoing symptoms for at least three months during the previous six months (Dal Molin et al .…”

“…Yet, functional constipation is defined by the internationally acknowledged Rome III criteria as having ongoing symptoms for at least three months during the previous six months (Dal Molin et al . ). However, persons tend to make their own individual definition of constipation based on a subjective assessment.…”

Living with constipation—older people's experiences and strategies with constipation before and during hospitalization

“…The existing definitions include symptoms like reduced frequency of defecation, hard and dry stool, and difficulties in defecation (Dal Molin et al, 2012 ; Spinzi et al, 2009 ). Yet, functional constipation is defined by the internationally acknowledged Rome III criteria (see Table I ) as having ongoing symptoms for at least 3 months during the previous 6 months (Dal Molin et al, 2012 ). However, in contrast to the clear definition in the Rome III criteria, people tend to make their own individual definition of constipation based on a subjective assessment.…”