Defecation Diary

The Defecatielijst is a tool used for the evaluation and monitoring of bowel habits and intestinal function in individuals with gastrointestinal disorders. It is commonly utilized in clinical practice for the diagnosis and management of conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Description

The Defecatielijst is a form or diary that patients fill out daily to record various aspects of their bowel habits. It includes information such as the frequency of defecation, where patients record the number of bowel movements per day. It also assesses stool consistency using tools such as the Bristol Stool Scale to classify the form of the stool, ranging from hard to watery. Patients are asked to report any difficulty or pain experienced during defecation. Additional observations may be included, such as the presence of blood in the stool, abdominal bloating, or the sensation of incomplete evacuation.

Analysis

The analysis of the Defecatielijst involves collecting and reviewing the patient’s recorded data to identify patterns or irregularities in bowel habits. This may involve assessing whether the frequency of defecation falls within a normal range or indicates constipation or diarrhea. The consistency of the stool is evaluated using the Bristol Stool Scale to detect issues such as dehydration or excessive intestinal activity. Additional symptoms like pain, bloating, or rectal bleeding are also considered, as they may require further medical investigation.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Defecatielijst is to provide a detailed and structured record of bowel habits, which helps both patients and healthcare providers understand intestinal function more clearly. It supports the diagnosis of gastrointestinal conditions by supplying reliable data to the physician. Furthermore, it allows for monitoring changes over time, which is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and adjusting treatment plans accordingly.

Calibration

Calibration of the data involves comparing the recorded bowel habits with established standards of normal intestinal function. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used to interpret the data, identifying trends, deviations, or potential issues that may need further attention or medical assessment.

References

Lewis, S. J., & Heaton, K. W. (1997). Stool form scale as a useful guide to intestinal transit time. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 32(9), 920–924.
Longstreth, G. F., Thompson, W. G., Chey, W. D., Houghton, L. A., Mearin, F., & Spiller, R. C. (2006). Functional bowel disorders. Gastroenterology, 130(5), 1480–1491.
Bristol Stool Chart: A widely used tool for categorizing stool form, providing a framework for assessing bowel function.