Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41762235›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of colorectal disease2026

Reconsidering the LARS score: a cross-sectional descriptive study exploring complementary screening approaches for low anterior resection syndrome.

Yolanda Ribas, Ladislao Cayetano, Nuria Ortega-Torrecilla, Eloy Espín-Basany, Josep Bargalló, Clara Romero, Franco Marinello

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of colorectal disease, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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

What it found

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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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

7 authors.

Yolanda RibasColoproctology Unit, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain. yribas@cst.cat.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9254-2864
Ladislao CayetanoColoproctology Unit, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2118-7500
Nuria Ortega-TorrecillaAutonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4230-4494
Eloy Espín-BasanyAutonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9139-4548
Josep BargallóColoproctology Unit, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-0818-728X
Clara RomeroDepartment of Research and Innovation, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2106-9923
Franco MarinelloAutonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. francoguillermo.marinello@uab.cat.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0185-4545

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe LARS score is a practical tool to screen for bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. However, clinical experience suggests that it may overlook relevant symptoms and/or overestimate impact in some patients. This study aimed to explore whether the International Consensus Definition of LARS complements the LARS score in identifying patients with bowel dysfunction.

methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study including patients treated for rectal cancer across two hospitals between January 2021 and December 2024. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Functional outcomes were assessed during outpatient follow-up using both the LARS score and the International Consensus Definition criteria.

resultsSixty-two patients were included. According to the LARS score, 39 (62.9%) had "no LARS", 10 (16.1%) "minor LARS" and 13 (21%) "major LARS". Using the International Consensus Definition, 24 (38.7%) met the criteria for LARS. Nine patients (14.5%) were classified differently by the two tools. Five patients classified as "no LARS" by the LARS score met the International Consensus Definition due to unpredictable bowel function and emptying difficulties with a reported impact on daily life. In contrast, four patients with "minor or major LARS" did not meet the International Consensus Definition criteria because no consequences were reported.

conclusionIn this exploratory cross-sectional cohort, the International Consensus Definition did not identify substantially more patients than the LARS score but provided complementary information by linking symptoms to their perceived consequences. Combining both tools may offer a more comprehensive appraisal of LARS until newer multidimensional instruments become available.

Indexed as

Low Anterior Resection SyndromeRectal NeoplasmsAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedBowel dysfunctionInternational Consensus DefinitionLARS scoreLow anterior resection syndromeRectal cancer surgery

Identifiers

PMID41762235
PMCPMC12950008

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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.