Is evaluation by questionnaires sufficient to cover all aspects of bowel symptoms in rectal cancer patients after low anterior resection?

Aim The aim of the study was to investigate whether bowel symptoms related to low anterior resection for rectal cancer can be sufficiently well evaluated by the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) questionnaire score or the ColoRectal Functional Outcome (COREFO) questionnaire compared with a stool diary. Method All patients underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer. They were asked to fill out a stool diary, the LARS questionnaire and the COREFO questionnaire, at 1, 4, 6 and 12 months after low anterior resection or stoma closure. The main outcome measure was the amount of association (calculated by means of canonical correlation analysis) between items on anal incontinence for faeces, frequency of bowel movements, clustering of bowel movements, urgency and soiling. Results Ninety-five patients were included. Items on anal incontinence for faeces and frequency of bowel movements were significantly correlated between the LARS questionnaire or the COREFO questionnaire, versus the stool diary, respectively. Items on soiling were significantly correlated between the COREFO questionnaire and the stool diary. Conclusion Although the LARS questionnaire and the COREFO questionnaire are reliable and valid for measuring low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer, our results show that there are no strong associations with the stool diary. Therefore, we can conclude that there is additional clinical information to be obtained from the stool diary. In order to evaluate all aspects of low anterior resection syndrome, we suggest the addition of a stool diary or a combination of different measurement methods during patient follow-up.