ArticleBMJ open2014
Bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer treatment: a study comparing the specialist's versus patient's perspective.
Article in BMJ open, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 51 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
51 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 147 citations in OpenAlex.
- Guideline
- Preventative strategies for low anterior resection syndrome.Techniques in coloproctology · 2023Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Comparison of the colonic J-pouch versus straight (end-to-end) anastomosis following low anterior resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of colorectal disease · 2022Pooled it
- Conversations for providers caring for patients with rectal cancer: Comparison of long-term patient-centered outcomes for patients with low rectal cancer facing ostomy or sphincter-sparing surgery.CA: a cancer journal for clinicians · 2016Pooled it
- The impact of an interactive online informational and peer support application (app) for patients with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) on quality of life: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.Surgical endoscopy · 2025Trial
- Physical activity levels after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: one-year follow-up.BMC public health · 2021Trial
- Functional outcomes from a randomized trial of early closure of temporary ileostomy after rectal excision for cancer.The British journal of surgery · 2019Trial
- The experiences of a structured pelvic floor rehabilitation program in colorectal cancer survivors with low anterior resection syndrome: A qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- Impact of low anterior resection syndrome after rectal surgery on sleep quality.Surgery today · 2025Article
- A 2-year prospective study on the evolution of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) following rectal cancer surgery.International journal of colorectal disease · 2025Article
- Effectiveness of transanal irrigation in low anterior resection syndrome.Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland · 2025Article
- Functional outcomes and quality of life after intersphincteric resection with transverse coloplasty pouch anastomosis for ultralow rectal cancer: a prospective cohort study.Techniques in coloproctology · 2025Article
- The Diagnosis and Evolution of Patients with LARS Syndrome: A Five-Year Retrospective Study from a Single Surgery Unit.Cancers · 2024Article
- Enhancing support for patients with low anterior resection syndrome: insights and educational resources from the LARSCAT project.International journal of colorectal disease · 2024Article
- Long-term outcomes of sacral neuromodulation for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery.Annals of coloproctology · 2024Article
- Metabolic and Nutritional Issues after Lower Digestive Tract Surgery: The Important Role of the Dietitian in a Multidisciplinary Setting.Nutrients · 2024Review
- Article
- International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons survey of surgeons' preference on rectal cancer treatment.Annals of coloproctology · 2023Article
- "I Wish There had been Resources": A Photo-Elicitation Study of Rectal Cancer Survivorship Care Needs.Annals of surgical oncology · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesTo investigate how bowel dysfunction after sphincter-preserving rectal cancer treatment, known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), is perceived by rectal cancer specialists, in relation to the patient's experience.
designQuestionnaire study.
settingInternational.
participants58 rectal cancer specialists (45 colorectal surgeons and 13 radiation oncologists). RESEARCH PROCEDURE: The Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Score (LARS score) is a five-item instrument for evaluation of LARS, which was developed from and validated on 961 patients. The 58 specialists individually completed two LARS score-based exercises. In Exercise 1, they were asked to select, from a list of bowel dysfunction issues, five items that they considered to disturb patients the most. In Exercise 2, they were given a list of scores to assign to the LARS score items, according to the impact on quality of life (QOL). OUTCOME MEASURES: In Exercise 1, the frequency of selection of each issue, particularly the five items included in the LARS score, was compared with the frequency of being selected at random. In Exercise 2, the answers were compared with the original patient-derived scores.
resultsFour of the five LARS score issues had the highest frequencies of selection (urgency, clustering, incontinence for liquid stool and frequency of bowel movements), which were also higher than random. However, the remaining LARS score issue (incontinence for flatus) showed a lower frequency than random. Scores assigned by the specialists were significantly different from the patient-derived scores (p<0.01). The specialists grossly overestimated the impact of incontinence for liquid stool and frequent bowel movements on QOL, while they markedly underestimated the impact of clustering and urgency. The results did not differ between surgeons and oncologists.
conclusionsRectal cancer specialists do not have a thorough understanding of which bowel dysfunction symptoms truly matter to the patient, nor how these symptoms affect QOL.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.