Comparative analysis of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Bowel Function Instrument and the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Questionnaire for assessment of bowel dysfunction in rectal cancer patients after low anterior resection

Abstract

Aim Neoadjuvant therapy and total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer are associated with bowel dysfunction symptoms known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Our study compared the only two validated instruments—the LARS Questionnaire (LARS‐Q) and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Bowel Function Instrument (MSK‐BFI)—in rectal cancer patients undergoing sphincter‐preserving TME. Methods One hundred and ninety patients undergoing sphincter‐preserving TME for Stage I–III rectal cancer completed the MSK‐BFI and LARS‐Q simultaneously at a median time of 12 (range 1–43) months after restoration of bowel continuity. Associations between the MSK‐BFI total/subscale scores and the LARS‐Q score were investigated using Spearman rank correlation (r s). Discriminant validity for the two questionnaires was assessed, and the questionnaires were compared with the European Quality of Life Instrument. Results Major LARS was identified in 62% of patients. The median MSK‐BFI scores for no LARS, minor LARS and major LARS were 76.5, 70 and 57, respectively. We found a strong association between MSK‐BFI and LARS‐Q (r s −0.79). The urgency/soilage subscale (r s −0.7) and the frequency subscale (rs −0.68) of MSK‐BFI strongly correlated with LARS‐Q. Low correlation was observed between the MSK‐BFI diet subscale and LARS‐Q (r s −0.39). On multivariate analysis, both questionnaires showed worse bowel function in patients with distal tumours. A low to moderate correlation with the European Quality of Life Instrument was observed for both questionnaires. Conclusions The MSK‐BFI and LARS‐Q showed good correlation and similar discriminant validity. As the LARS‐Q is easier to complete, it may be considered the preferred tool to screen for bowel dysfunction.

Quality of life and function after rectal cancer surgery with and without sphincter preservation

“…Although the two instruments may measure the same construct, the cohorts used to develop the instruments differed significantly in terms of clinical factors, such as tumor level and surgical techniques. Recent studies have confirmed good correlation and similar discriminant validity of these two questionnaires ( 30 , 31 ). An additional limitation of our study is that it is a single-center study focused on patients treated by highly subspecialized surgeons who are sought out for their technical skill and their ability to perform sphincter preservation for ultralow tumors, with 26% of SPS anastomoses being handsewn.…”

Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes After Intersphincteric Resection for Ultralow Rectal Cancer: A Prospective Observational Study

“…First, it is limited by its single-institution nature with a relatively small sample size. Second, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Bowel Function Instrument was not used in this series because it showed similar discriminative validity for bowel dysfunction with the LARS score, 35 and, hence, their associations with QoL were not determined. Indeed, more than 100 items within the aforementioned questionnaires were too lengthy and complex for patients to complete in this study.…”

Assessment of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Anal Squamous Cell Cancer Undergoing Combined Modality Therapy

“…However, LARS score is a concise PROM, and it has proven to have good psychometric properties with robust internal consistency, repeatability, and discriminant validity compared to other bowel function tools and seems to be a valid instrument for measuring bowel dysfunction in the long term. 37,38…”