Altomare et al developed a score for evaluating a patient with obstructed defecation syndrome. The authors are from the University of Bari, University of Padua, INRCA (Ancona) and ASUR Marche.
Patient selection: obstructed defecation syndrome
Parameters:
(1) mean time spent at the toilet in minutes
(2) number of attempts to defecate per day
(3) digitation (anal and/or vaginal)
(4) use of laxatives
(5) use of enemas
(6) incomplete or fragmented defecation
(7) straining during defecation
(8) stool consistency
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
mean time spent |
<= 5 minutes |
0 |
|
|
6 to 10 minutes |
1 |
|
|
11 to 20 minutes |
2 |
|
|
21 to 30 minutes |
3 |
|
|
> 30 minutes |
4 |
|
number of attempts |
1 |
0 |
|
|
2 |
1 |
|
|
3 or 4 |
2 |
|
|
5 or 6 |
3 |
|
|
7 or more |
4 |
|
digitation |
never |
0 |
|
|
more than once a month |
1 |
|
|
once a week |
2 |
|
|
2-3 times per week |
3 |
|
|
every defecation |
4 |
|
use of laxatives |
never |
0 |
|
|
more than once a month |
1 |
|
|
once a week |
2 |
|
|
2-3 times a week |
3 |
|
|
every day |
4 |
|
use of enemas |
never |
0 |
|
|
more than once a month |
1 |
|
|
once a week |
2 |
|
|
2-3 times per week |
3 |
|
|
every day |
4 |
|
incomplete defecation |
never |
0 |
|
|
more than once a month |
1 |
|
|
once a week |
2 |
|
|
2-3 times per week |
3 |
|
|
every defecation |
4 |
|
straining |
never |
0 |
|
|
less than 25% of time |
1 |
|
|
25 to 49% of time |
2 |
|
|
50 to 74% of time |
3 |
|
|
>= 75% of time |
4 |
|
stool consistency |
soft |
0 |
|
|
hard |
1 |
|
|
hard and few |
2 |
|
|
fecaloma |
3 |
total score =
= SUM(points for all 8 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 31
• The higher the score the worse the syndrome.
Specialty: Gastroenterology
