Encopresis: a study of treatment alternatives and historical and behavioral characteristics

Defecation-Specific Behavior in Children with Functional Defecation Issues: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Atypical defecation habits are common and distressing for children and families and can have a major impact on quality of life. Often, no underlying factor can be identified, and the defecation disorder is considered functional. Current interventions are not successful for up to 50% of children. We suggest this high failure rate may be caused by lack of consistency in descriptors of behavioral indicators for functional defecation problems. Most investigations and descriptors focus on general behavior. There are fewer reports concerning defecation-specific behaviors.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a thorough inventory of defecation-specific behaviors, providing a more informed foundation for assessment and intervention.

DESIGN

A systematic review of six common databases was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations. Reference lists of retained articles were screened for additional studies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Content analysis was used to classify defecation-specific behaviors into 17 categories.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 2677 articles; 98 peer-reviewed publications were retained for full-text review, and 67 articles were included in the final qualitative synthesis. Although there is inconsistency in reported diagnostic criteria, stool withholding and manifesting pain on defecation are the most commonly reported defecation-specific behaviors. In the studies that included children with autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the defecation-specific behaviors were not unique to the diagnostic group.

CONCLUSION

Consistent use of established diagnostic criteria, along with use of behaviors identified through this review, lay a foundation for more effective interventions.

Behavioural and cognitive interventions with or without other treatments for the management of faecal incontinence in children

BACKGROUND

Faecal incontinence is a common and potentially distressing disorder of childhood.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of behavioural and/or cognitive interventions for the management of faecal incontinence in children.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Trials Register (searched 28 October 2011), which contains trials identified from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and CINAHL, and handsearching of journals and conference proceedings, and the reference lists of relevant articles. We contacted authors in the field to identify any additional or unpublished studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of behavioural and/or cognitive interventions with or without other treatments for the management of faecal incontinence in children.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Reviewers selected studies from the literature, assessed study quality, and extracted data. Data were combined in a meta-analysis when appropriate.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty one randomised trials with a total of 1371 children met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes were generally small. All studies but one investigated children with functional faecal incontinence. Interventions varied amongst trials and few outcomes were shared by trials addressing the same comparisons.Combined results of nine trials showed higher rather than lower rates of persisting symptoms of faecal incontinence up to 12 months when biofeedback was added to conventional treatment (OR 1.11 CI 95% 0.78 to 1.58). This result was consistent with that of two trials with longer follow-up (OR 1.31 CI 95% 0.80 to 2.15). In one trial the adjunct of anorectal manometry to conventional treatment did not result in higher success rates in chronically constipated children (OR 1.40 95% CI 0.72 to 2.73 at 24 months).In one small trial the adjunct of behaviour modification to laxative therapy was associated with a significant reduction in children's soiling episodes at both the three month (OR 0.14 CI 95% 0.04 to 0.51) and the 12 month assessment (OR 0.20 CI 95% 0.06 to 0.65).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence that biofeedback training adds any benefit to conventional treatment in the management of functional faecal incontinence in children. There was not enough evidence on which to assess the effects of biofeedback for the management of organic faecal incontinence. There is some evidence that behavioural interventions plus laxative therapy, rather than laxative therapy alone, improves continence in children with functional faecal incontinence associated with constipation.

Behavioural and cognitive interventions with or without other treatments for the management of faecal incontinence in children

BACKGROUND

Faecal incontinence is a common and potentially distressing disorder of childhood.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of behavioural and/or cognitive interventions for the management of faecal incontinence in children.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Trials Register (searched 1 February 2006).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of behavioural and/or cognitive interventions with or without other treatments for the management of faecal incontinence in children.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Reviewers selected studies from the literature, assessed study quality, and extracted data. Data were combined in a meta-analysis when appropriate.

MAIN RESULTS

Eighteen randomised trials with a total of 1168 children met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes were generally small. All studies but one investigated children with functional faecal incontinence. Interventions varied amongst trials and few outcomes were shared by trials addressing the same comparisons. Combined results of nine trials showed higher rather than lower rates of persisting symptoms of faecal incontinence up to 12 months when biofeedback was added to conventional treatment (OR 1.11 CI 95% 0.78 to 1.58). This result was consistent with that of two trials with longer follow-up (OR 1.31 CI 95% 0.80 to 2.15). In one trial the adjunct of anorectal manometry to conventional treatment did not result in higher success rates in chronically constipated children (OR 1.40 95% CI 0.72 to 2.73 at 24 months). In one small trial the adjunct of behaviour modification to laxative therapy was associated with a significant reduction in children's soiling episodes at both the three month (OR 0.14 CI 95% 0.04 to 0.51) and the 12 month assessment (OR 0.20 CI 95% 0.06 to 0.65).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence that biofeedback training adds any benefit to conventional treatment in the management of functional faecal incontinence in children. There was not enough evidence on which to assess the effects of biofeedback for the management of organic faecal incontinence. There is some evidence that behavioural interventions plus laxative therapy, rather than laxative therapy alone, improves continence in children with functional faecal incontinence associated with constipation.

The prevalence of encopresis in a multicultural population

BACKGROUND

Population-based studies on the prevalence of encopresis in children are scarce and generally outdated. Prevalence estimates based on clinical studies are unreliable because parents tend to be reticent to seek medical help for this problem. Professional help is necessary, however, because encopresis can lead to serious psychosocial health problems. The authors examined the prevalence of encopresis in children, the frequency of visits made to general practitioners for encopresis and the psychosocial health problems of encopretic children.

METHODS

This population-based study involved 13,111 parents and their 5- to 6-year-old children and 9,780 parents and their 11- to 12-year-old children, all residents of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

RESULTS

The prevalence of encopresis was 4.1% in the 5-to-6 age group and 1.6% in the 11-to-12 age group. Encopresis was more frequent among boys and children from the very depressed areas of the city. Encopresis was less frequent among Moroccan and Turkish children. A defecation frequency of less than three per week was found in 3.8% of the 5- to 6-year-olds and 10.1% of the 11- to 12-year-olds with encopresis. Only 37.7% of the 5- to 6-year-olds and 27.4% of the 11- to 12-year-olds who had encopresis had ever been taken to see a doctor for this problem. Psychosocial problems were far more common among children with encopresis than among normal children.

CONCLUSIONS

Encopresis is a common condition that is often associated with psychosocial health disorders but only a small proportion of the children with encopresis are taken to a general practitioner to discuss their problem.

Enuresis and encopresis: ten years of progress

OBJECTIVE

To review the progress made over the past decade with regard to the treatment of enuresis and encopresis, as well as advances in the understanding of etiological mechanisms.

METHOD

Separate computerized literature (English language only) searches of Medline and PsycINFO databases were conducted under the parameter of enuresis and children-adolescents, as well as encopresis and children-adolescents.

RESULTS

There has been a substantial decrease in published research concerning the use of imipramine to treat enuresis compared with the prior two decades, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the number of papers concerning desmopressin acetate (DDAVP), which has become the primary pharmacological treatment. Genetic studies of large pedigrees have further confirmed the importance of heritable factors. With regard to encopresis, the research has focused primarily on pathophysiological factors related to the colon and anal sphincter.

CONCLUSIONS

The widespread use of DDAVP has been the primary addition to treatment strategies over the past decade. The bell-and-pad method of conditioning, the only major treatment that has enduring benefit after being withdrawn, is the most cost-effective and appears to be underutilized. Research into etiological mechanisms has focused primarily on the mechanism of action of DDAVP and advances in the understanding of genetic factors. Advances in the treatment and etiological understanding of encopresis have been less impressive.

Behavioural and cognitive interventions with or without other treatments for defaecation disorders in children

BACKGROUND

Faecal soiling is a common and potentially distressing disorder of childhood.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of behavioural and/or cognitive interventions for the management of defaecation disorders in children.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The following databases were searched: the Cochrane Incontinence Group Trials Register (March 2001), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 4, 2000), The Enuresis Resource and Information Centre Register of studies of encopresis and soiling, AMED (1985 to April 2000), PsycINFO (1887 to June 2000), Index to Theses - Great Britain and Ireland (October 2000), Dissertation Abstracts (November 2000), EMBASE (January 1998 to October 1999), SIGLE (January 1980 to December 1996), BIOSIS (January 1998 to March 1999), Science Citation Index (January 1998 to March 1999), ISTP (January 1982 to March 1999). Date of the most recent searches: March 2001. Bibliographies of trials retrieved were also searched and colleagues and experts in the field were contacted for information.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of behavioural and/or cognitive interventions with or without other treatments for the management of defaecation disorders in children.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently selected studies from the literature. One reviewer assessed the methodological quality of eligible trials and extracted data. Data were combined in a meta-analysis when appropriate.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixteen randomised trials with a total of 843 children met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes were generally small. Interventions varied among trials and few outcomes were shared by trials addressing the same comparisons. The synthesis of data from eight trials showed higher rather than lower rates of persisting problem up to 12 months when biofeedback was added to conventional treatment (OR 1.34 CI 95% 0.92 to 1.94). In two trials significantly more encopretic children receiving behavioural intervention plus laxative therapy improved compared with those receiving behavioural intervention alone at both the 6-month (OR 0.51 CI 95% 0.29 to 0.89) and the 12-month follow-up (OR 0.52 CI 95% 0.30 to 0.93). Similarly in another trial the addition of behaviour modifications to laxative therapy was associated with a marked reduction in children's soiling episodes (OR 0.14 CI 95% 0.04 to 0.51).

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence that biofeedback training adds any benefit to conventional treatment in the management of encopresis and constipation in children. There is some evidence that behavioural intervention plus laxative therapy, rather than behavioural intervention or laxative therapy alone, improves continence in children with primary and secondary encopresis.

Differences in toileting habits between children with chronic encopresis, asymptomatic siblings, and asymptomatic nonsiblings

No studies have compared toileting-specific behaviors of encopretic children with those of asymptomatic children and have controlled for environmental factors such as parental attitudes, parenting styles, and bathroom facilities. This study prospectively examined the toileting habits of 86 chronically encopretic children compared with those of 27 asymptomatic siblings and 35 asymptomatic nonsiblings. Although encopretic children experienced significantly more soiling than did controls, the total number of daily bowel movements passed in the toilet (+/-SD) was comparable in the three groups (.92 +/- .76 in encopretic children compared with 1.14 +/- .43 and 1.08 +/- .47 in siblings and nonsiblings, respectively). Encopretic children experienced pain with defecation more often than did controls. During the 14-day study period, encopretic children complained of pain on 2.75 +/- 4.03 days compared with .58 +/- 1.84 days among sibling controls and 2.31 +/- 3.21 days among nonsibling controls. The mean pain score in encopretic children was .76 +/- 1.00 compared with .05 +/- .15 and .26 +/- .38 among siblings and nonsiblings, respectively. All three groups of children sat on the toilet without parental prompting the same number of times each day. In summary, children with chronic encopresis do not seem to avoid toileting, and they exhibit toileting behaviors that are very similar to those of asymptomatic siblings as well as to those of nonsibling controls.

Randomised trial of biofeedback training for encopresis

AIMS

To evaluate biofeedback training in children with encopresis and the effect on psychosocial function.

DESIGN

Prospective controlled randomised study. PATIENT INTERVENTIONS: A multimodal treatment of six weeks. Children were randomised into two groups. Each group received dietary and toilet advice, enemas, oral laxatives, and anorectal manometry. One group also received five biofeedback training sessions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Successful treatment was defined as less than two episodes of encopresis, regular bowel movements, and no laxatives. Psychosocial function after treatment was assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist.

RESULTS

Children given laxatives and biofeedback training had higher success rates than those who received laxatives alone (39% v 19%) at the end of the intervention period. At 12 and 18 months, however, approximately 50% of children in each group were successfully treated. Abnormal behaviour scores were initially observed in 35% of children. Most children had improved behaviour scores six months after treatment. Children with an initial abnormal behaviour score who were successfully treated had a significant improvement in their behavioural profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Biofeedback training had no additional effect on the success rate or behaviour scores. Psychosocial problems are present in a subgroup of children with encopresis. The relation between successful treatment and improvement in behavioural function supports the idea that encopresis has an aetiological role in the occurrence and maintenance of behavioural problems in children with encopresis.

A collaborative protocol for encopresis management in school-aged children

Encopresis affects 1% to 3% of the general pediatric population, yet most parents are unaware of the condition. Parents frequently view encopretic symptoms as deliberate actions and react punitively. Children with encopresis live in constant fear of ridicule about a problem over which they have no control. The lengthy, complex management program for encopresis usually includes physiological and behavioral approaches. Noncompliance and withdrawing from the program too quickly are major obstacles to success. The collaborative protocol model, focused on medical clinicians, children and families, and school nurses in collaboration with the children's teachers provides comprehensive strategical management of encopresis. As health professionals with frequent opportunity for communication with children and their parents, schools nurses are essential members of the collaborative management team. Also, the unique position of school nurses offers the opportunity to identify children with encopresis and help them work toward a positive outcome.