ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2017
Development of a core outcome set for clinical trials in childhood constipation: a study using a Delphi technique.
Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 10 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
18 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition/North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition guidelines for treatment of functional constipation in children aged 0-18 years.Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition · 2026Guideline
- Efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological treatments for paediatric functional constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ paediatrics open · 2026Pooled it
- The Effectiveness of Caffeine in Reducing Constipation in Adults: A Systematic Review.International urogynecology journal · 2025Pooled it
- Strategies used for childhood chronic functional constipation: the SUCCESS evidence synthesis.Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) · 2024Pooled it
- Identifying common health indicators from paediatric core outcome sets: a systematic review with narrative synthesis using the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Health and Disability.BMJ paediatrics open · 2022Pooled it
- Synthesizing Core Outcome Sets for outcomes research in cohort studies: a systematic review.Pediatric research · 2022Pooled it
- Probiotics for treatment of chronic constipation in children.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2022Pooled it
- Kiwifruit and Kiwifruit Extracts for Treatment of Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Canadian journal of gastroenterology & hepatology · 2022Pooled it
- Inclusion of participants from low-income and middle-income countries in core outcome sets development: a systematic review.BMJ open · 2021Pooled it
- Heterogeneous outcome reporting in adult slow-transit constipation studies: Systematic review towards a core outcome set.Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology · 2020Pooled it
- Pharmacological management of childhood constipation: Bridging today's gaps with tomorrow's therapies.World journal of clinical pediatrics · 2026Review
- A "Curriculum of Information Needs" of Parents of Children With Chronic Constipation.Clinical pediatrics · 2026Article
- Protocol for developing a core outcome set for traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of pharyngitis.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Article
- ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN 2024 protocol for paediatric functional constipation treatment guidelines (standard operating procedure).BMJ paediatrics open · 2025Article
- Article
- Development and validation of the Early Pediatric Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence questionnaire.European journal of pediatrics · 2023Article
- An international Delphi survey helped develop consensus-based core outcome domains for trials in peritoneal dialysis.Kidney international · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivePatients, 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
settingProspective study design: primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.
methodsThis 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.
resultsThe 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.
conclusionThe 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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