Development of a core outcome set for clinical trials in childhood constipation: a study using a Delphi technique
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: Patients, their parents and healthcare professionals (HCPs) have a different perception regarding the symptoms of functional constipation (FC). Consequently, a lack of agreement exists on definitions and outcomes used in therapeutic trials of FC. Therefore, our aim was to develop a core outcome set (COS) for FC for children aged 0-1 year and 1-18 years. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study design: primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. METHODS: This COS was developed using a Delphi technique. First, HCPs, parents of children with FC and patients aged ≥12-18 years were asked to list up to five outcomes they considered relevant in the treatment of FC. Outcomes mentioned by >10% of participants were included in a shortlist. In the next phase, outcomes on this shortlist were rated and prioritised by HCPs, parents and patients. Outcomes with the highest scores were included in a draft COS. In a face-to-face expert meeting, the final COS was determined. RESULTS: The first phase was completed by 109 HCPs, 165 parents and 50 children. Fifty HCPs, 80 parents and 50 children completed the subsequent phase. The response rate was between 63% and 100% in both steps. The final COS for all ages consisted of: defecation frequency, stool consistency, painful defecation, quality of life, side effects of treatment, faecal incontinence, abdominal pain and school attendance. CONCLUSION: The use of this COS for FC will decrease study heterogeneity and improve comparability of studies. Therefore, researchers are recommended to use this COS in future therapeutic trials on childhood FC.
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Patients and caregivers were involved in the development of a core outcome set for therapeutic studies in functional constipation.
“Patients and caregivers were involved in the development of a core outcome set for therapeutic studies in FC.”
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Gordon, M., de Geus, A., Boruta, M., Banasiuk, M., Benninga, M., Borrelli, O., Darbari, A., Dore‐Stites, D., Gould, M., Hawa, J., et al. (2026) · Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition · doi:10.1002/jpn3.70447 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Kuizenga-Wessel, S., Steutel, N. F., Benninga, M. A., Devreker, T., Scarpato, E., Staiano, A., Szajewska, H., Vandenplas, Y., & Tabbers, M. M.
- Affiliations
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
- Medical University of Warsaw (PL)
- Corresponding author
- Steutel, Nina Francesca
- ORCID
- Venue
- BMJ Paediatrics Open
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2017-08
- Volume
- 1
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e000017
- ISSN
- 2399-9772 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5842998
- OpenAlex
- W2749230531
- Cited by
- 36
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4
- FWCI
- 2.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc
- Locations
- BMJ Paediatrics Open (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Delphi Technique in Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Pelvic floor disorders treatments
- Keywords
- core outcome set, pediatric constipation, functional constipation, clinical trial results, patient and public involvement, outcome prioritization, stool frequency, stool consistency, painful defecation, quality of life, fecal incontinence, abdominal pain, school attendance, treatment side effects, study heterogeneity
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