Krogh et al developed the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score to evaluate patients with spinal cord injuries. This can be used to initially assess and to monitor the patient over time. The authors are from University Hospital of Aarhus in Denmark.
Parameters:
(1) frequency of bowel movements
(2) headache, perspiration, discomfort or uneasiness before or during defecation
(3) taking laxative tablets (tablets against constipation)
(4) taking laxative liquid (drops against constipation)
(5) time used for defecation
(6) digital stimulation or evacuation
(7) frequency of fecal incontinence
(8) medications against fecal incontinence
(9) flatus incontinence
(10) perianal skin problems
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
frequency of bowel movements |
daily |
0 |
|
|
2 to 6 times per week |
1 |
|
|
less than once a week |
6 |
|
headache or other symptoms before or during defecation |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
2 |
|
taking laxative tablets |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
2 |
|
taking laxative liquid |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
2 |
|
time used for defecation |
up to 30 minutes |
0 |
|
|
31 to 60 minutes |
3 |
|
|
more than 60 minutes |
7 |
|
digital stimulation or evacuation |
less than once a week |
0 |
|
|
one or more times per week |
6 |
|
frequency of fecal incontinence |
less than once a month |
0 |
|
|
1 to 4 times per month |
6 |
|
|
1 to 6 times per week |
7 |
|
|
daily |
13 |
|
medications against fecal incontinence |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
4 |
|
flatus incontinence |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
2 |
|
perianal skin problems |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
3 |
total score =
= SUM(points for all 10 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 47
• The higher the score the greater the neurogenic bowel dysfunction.
• The higher the score the greater the impact of bowel dysfunction on the patient's quality of life.
Purpose: To evaluate bowel function in a spinal cord injury patient using the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score of Krogh et al.
Specialty: Gastroenterology
Objective: severity, prognosis, stage
ICD-10: K59.2,
