Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39014196›Full record

SynthesisSpinal cord2024

Bowel burdens: a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the relationships between bowel dysfunction and quality of life after spinal cord injury.

Elin K Sober-Williams, Rebekah H Y Lee, David G T Whitehurst, Christopher B McBride, Rhonda Willms, Victoria E Claydon

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Spinal cord, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Elin K Sober-Williams *Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-2754-0085
Rebekah H Y Lee *Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-2391-5353
David G T WhitehurstInternational Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Christopher B McBrideSpinal Cord Injury British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Rhonda WillmsInternational Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Victoria E ClaydonDepartment of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. victoria_claydon@sfu.ca.ORCID 0000-0002-2720-8042

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

STUDY

designSystematic review and meta-analysis.

objectivesMany individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience autonomic dysfunction, including profound impairments to bowel and cardiovascular function. Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) is emerging as a potential determinant of quality of life (QoL) after SCI. For individuals with high-level lesions ( > T6), bowel care-related autonomic dysreflexia (B-AD; profound episodic hypertension) further complicates bowel care. We aimed to evaluate the extent of bowel dysfunction after SCI, and the impact of bowel dysfunction on QoL after SCI.

methodsWe searched five databases to identify research assessing the influence of NBD or B-AD on QoL after SCI. Metrics of bowel dysfunction (fecal incontinence [FI], constipation, time to complete, and B-AD) and QoL data were extracted and synthesised. Where possible, meta-analyses were performed.

resultsOur search identified 2042 titles, of which 39 met our inclusion criteria. Individuals with SCI identified problems with NBD (74.7%), FI (56.9%), and constipation (54.6%), and 49.3% of individuals with SCI > T6 experienced B-AD. Additionally, 40.3% of individuals experienced prolonged defecation ( > 30 min). Moderate/severe deterioration in QoL due to NBD was reported by 55.5% of individuals with SCI, with negative impacts on physical, emotional, and social health-related QoL associated with inflexibility of bowel routines, fear of accidents, and loss of independence.

conclusionBowel dysfunction and bowel care challenges are prevalent and disabling for individuals with SCI, with a profoundly negative impact on QoL. Improving bowel management is a key target to improve QoL for those living with SCI.

Indexed as

Neurogenic BowelQuality of LifeSpinal Cord InjuriesConstipationFecal IncontinenceHumans

Identifiers

PMID39014196
PMCPMC11368817

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.