RELIABILITY OF BARR, LEECH, AND BLETHYN SCORE IN USING OF PLAIN RADIOGRAPHY IN DETERMINING FECAL IMPACTION IN CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT CONSTIPATION

Confiabilidade de pontuação dos escores de Barr, Leech e Blethyn no uso de radiografia simples na determinação da impactação fecal em crianças com e sem constipação

ABSTRACT

Background

- Several scoring was developed for evaluation of children with fecal retention using plain radiograph. There are controversies about specificity and sensitivity of these scoring system.

Objectives

- The aim of this study was to evaluate Barr, Blethyn, and Leech score in evaluation of fecal load in plain radiograph.

Methods

- This case control study was conducted on children aged 2-14 years old with abdominal pain who visited Abuzar children's Hospital of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences. This study was conducted in fall season. Children with history of previous abdominal surgery, any systemic illness including sickle cell anemia were excluded. Children with constipation were placed in case group. Subjects without constipation were placed in control group. Subjects without exclusion criteria were examined by physician who is blind to aim of the study. Careful history and physical examination was done. Demographic features, history of gastrointestinal problem, duration of abdominal pain, defecation habit, stool consistency (loose, hard), and results of physical examination were recorded. Rome III criteria was used for definition of constipation. Abdominal x-ray was ordered for each patients. Abdominal radiography was reviewed by radiologist. Barr, Leach, and Blethyn scores were calculated for each case.

Results

- In this study 102 children with functional constipation and 102 children without constipation as a control were included. Mean ±SD for case and control group was 68.39±34.88 and 69.46±32.60 (P=0.82).Leech score (mean ±SD) was 11.05±2.177 and 5.67±3.228 for case and control group respectively (P<0.0001). Barr score (mean ±SD) was 14.86±3.54 and 7.16±5.59 for case and control group respectively (P=<0.0001). Blethyn (mean ±SD) score was 1.97±0.667 and 1.04±0.900 for case and control group respectively (P=0.000). Sensitivity and specificity of Barr score was 83% and 79% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of Leech score was 92% and 80% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of Blethyn score was 79% and 92% respectively.

Conclusion

- Barr, Blethyn and Leech scores were significantly higher in children with abdominal pain and constipation in contrast to children with abdominal pain and without constipation. Sensitivity of Leech score was more than Barr and Blethyn scoring systems. Specificity of Blethyn score was more than Barr and Leech score.

HEADINGS
Constipation; Child health; Abdominal pain; X-ray; Encopresis; Fecal impaction

RESUMO

Contexto

- Diversos métodos de pontuação utilizando a radiografia simples foram desenvolvidos para a avaliação de retenção fecal em crianças. Há controvérsias sobre a especificidade e sensibilidade destes sistemas de pontuação.

Objetivo

- O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os sistemas de escore Barr, Blethyn e Leech na avaliação do conteúdo fecal pela radiografia simples.

Métodos

- Estudo de caso controle em crianças com idade entre 2-14 anos, com dor abdominal que consultaram o Abuzar children's Hospital of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, durante o outono. Crianças com história prévia de cirurgia abdominal, com qualquer doença sistêmica, incluindo anemia falciforme, foram excluídas. Crianças com constipação foram inseridas no estudo e crianças sem constipação inseridas no grupo controle. Pacientes sem critérios de exclusão foram examinados por médico que ignorava o objeto do estudo. Foram realizadas história clínica e exame físico cuidadosos. Foram registradas as características demográficas, a história do problema gastrointestinal, a duração da dor abdominal, os hábitos intestinais e evacuatórios, a consistência das fezes (duras, amolecidas), e os resultados do exame físico. Os Critérios de Roma III foram usados para a definição de constipação. Radiografia simples do abdômen foi ordenada para cada paciente. Foram calculados os escores de Baar, Leech e Blethyn para cada paciente.

Resultados

- Foram incluídas neste estudo 102 crianças com constipação funcional e 102 crianças sem constipação como controle. A idade média com desvio padrão para o grupo paciente foi de 68.39±34.88 e de 69.46±32.60 para o grupo controle (P=0.82). O escore de Leech (média ±DP) foi de 11.05±2.1777 para pacientes e de 5.67±3.228 para o grupo controle (P<0.0001). A pontuação de Barr (média ± DP) foi 14.86±3.54 para pacientes e de 7.16±5.59 para o grupo controle (P=<0.0001). O escore Blethyn (média ±DP) foi de 1.97±0.667 para pacientes e de 1.04±0.900 para o grupo controle (P=0.000). A sensibilidade e especificidade para o escore de Baar foi de 83% e 79% respectivamente. Para o escore de Leech foi de 92% de sensibilidade e 80% de especificidade. O escore de Blethyn resultou em 79% de sensibilidade e especificidade de 92%.

Conclusão

- As pontuações de Baar, Blethyn e Leech foram significativamente maiores em crianças com dor abdominal e constipação em contraste com as crianças com dor abdominal e sem constipação. A sensibilidade de pontuação Leech foi maior do que os sistemas de pontuação Barr e Blethyn. Escore de Blethyn teve mais especificidade que as pontuações Barr e Leech.

DESCRITORES
Constipação intestinal; Saúde da Criança; Dor abdominal; Raios X; Encoprese; Impacção fecal

INTRODUCTION

Constipation is a frequent gastrointestinal problem in children which has a prevalence between 16-34% in different studies^{9,10,17,18,19}.

History and careful physical examination are sufficient for diagnosis of functional constipation, but some physician ordered abdominal x-ray for evaluation of fecal material which was impacted in the abdomen^6,8,14.

We saw many cases from low socio economic status who are not collaborative for history and physical examination. In these cases, diagnosis of constipation according to Rome III criteria are not possible. In these case, plain roentgenogram may be helpful for assessment of fecal load.

In the study by Barr et al. on 30 children with constipation and 12 children without constipation, sensitivity and specificity of radiologic evaluation was 80% and 90% respectively¹.

In another study by Leech et al., there was significant difference between scores of children with constipation and without constipation with sensitivity and specificity which was 76% and 75% respectively¹³.

In a systematic review by Berger et al., they did not find sufficient evidence for role of plain abdominal x-ray in diagnosis of functional constipation in children⁴. There was a controversy regarding reliability of three scoring system. Plain abdominal radiograph is a simple method which omit stressful examination, digital rectal examination, for uncooperative child. Because these controversies and there was no such study in our country, the current study was carried out to reevaluate these scoring system in diagnosis of stool impaction using Barr, Blethyn, and Leech score.

METHODS

This case control study was conducted on children aged 2-14 years old with abdominal pain who visited Abuzar children's hospital of Ahvaz university of medical sciences. Children with constipation were placed in case group. Children without constipation were placed in control group. This study was conducted in fall season. Children with history of previous abdominal surgery, any systemic illness including sickle cell anemia were excluded. Subjects without exclusion criteria were examined by physician who is blind to aim of the study. Careful history and physical examination was done. Demographic features, history of gastrointestinal problem, duration of abdominal pain, defecation habit, stool consistency (loose, hard), and results of physical examination were recorded.

Rome III criteria was used for definition of constipation^9,18.

Abdominal x-ray was ordered for each patients. Abdominal radiography was reviewed by radiologist. Barr¹, Leach¹³, and Blethyn⁵ scores were calculated for each case.

Bar et al. developed a scoring system based on both the quality and quantity of stool in the ascending, transverse, descending colon and rectum (Barr et al., 1979). "The quantity of stool in ascending (0,1 or 2 points), transverse (0,2 or 5 points) and descending colon (0, 3, 4, or points) and the rectum (0, 2 or 5 points) is assessed and summated. The quality of the retained stool is expressed in scybala (0, 1, 2, or 3 points) and granular feces (0, 2, 4, or 5 points). A total sum of more than 10 points indicates constipation.

A simplified scoring method is provided by Blethyn et al.⁵. They classified plain abdominal radiographs using a diagram with four different grades of fecal loading. Grade 0 (normal) describes the presence of feces in the cecum and rectum. Grade 1 also shows discontinous feces elsewhere in the colon (mild). In grade 2 (moderate) feces is present in all segments of the colon. Finally, grade 3 (severe) shows continous feces in all segments with a dilated colon and rectal impaction.

Leech score was based on the total colon was divided into 3 part; right, left, and rectosigmoid colon¹³. Leech score system assigned 0 point if no stool was ever observed, 1 point if a small amount of stool was observed, 2 points if a moderate amount of stool was observed, and 3 points if stool was seriously delayed.

This study was approved by ethical committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

Statistical analysis

Statistician was blind to the aim of the study. Analysis was done with SPSS version 16.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). Independent sample t-test and Chi-square was used for comparison for quantitative and qualitative variables respectively. ROC curve was plotted for diagnostic accuracy of Barr, Leech, and Blethyn scores.

RESULTS

In this study 204 children (boy=83, girl=121) with mean age 68.92±33.68 months were included. Of 204 children, 102 were case and 102 were control. Mean age of case and control group were 68.39±33.48 months and 69.46±32.60 months respectively (P=0.82). Of case and control groups, 38.2% and 43.1% were boys respectively (P=0.47).

Duration of abdominal pain was significantly longer in case compared to control group(P<0.0001) (Table 1). There was significant difference between case and control in terms of defecation pattern (P<0.0001). Difficulty in defecation was present in 64 (62.7%) of case versus 23(22.5%) of control which was statistically significant (P=0.000). There was no guarding in physical examination in both case and control group. Rigidity was not found in case and control group. Results of digital rectal examination was significantly difference between case and control. There was significant difference between case and control regarding to Barr (P<0.0001), Blethyn (P<0.0001), and Leech score (P<0.0001) (Table 2). Diagnostic accuracy of Barr scoring system was 87% in our study. If score >11, sensitivity and specificity was 83% and 79% respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of Leech scoring system was 90% according to our study. If score >9, specificity and sensitivity will be 80% and 92% respectively. Blethyn scoring system had diagnostic accuracy about 78% in diagnosis of functional constipation in children. Sensitivity and specificity of Blethyn score was 79% and 92% respectively if score >2. Result of ROC curve were shown in Figures 1-3. According to Figures 1-3, sensitivity of Leech score was higher than others. Also, sensitivity of Blethyn score was lower than other systems.

TABLE 1
Duration of abdominal pain, Defecation pattern, and rectal examination between case and control

		Children with constipation	Children without constipation	P value
	48hr	27 (26.5%)	73 (71.6%)
Duration of abdominal pain	1 week	32 (31.4%)	29 (19.6%)	<0.0001
	1 months	29 (28.4%)	7 (6.9%)
	>1 month	14 (13.7%)	2 (2%)
	Daily defecation	2 (2%)	21 (20.6%)
Defecation pattern	>3 defecation /week	7 (6.9%)	69 (67.6%)	<0.0001
	<3 defecation /week	93 (91.2%)	12 (11.8%)
	Empty	2 (2%)	36 (35.3%)
Rectal examination	Soft feces	10 (9.8%)	43 (42.2%)	<0.0001
	Hard feces	90 (88.2%)	23 (22.5%)

TABLE 2
Scoring system in case and control group

P value	Mean ± SD	Max	Min	Group	Scoring system
<0.0001	11.05 ± 2.177	15	5	Case	Leech
	5.67 ± 3.228	15	0	Control
<0.0001	14.86 ± 3.546	24	9	Case	Barr
	7.16 ± 5.597	22	0	Control
<0.0001	1.97 ± 0.667	3	1	Case	Blethyn
	1.04 ± 0.900	3	0	Control

FIGURE 1
Leech score in diagnosis of functional constipation. P<0.0001

FIGURE 2
Barr score in diagnosis of children functional constipation. P<0.0001

FIGURE 3
Blethyn score in diagnosis of functional constipation. P<0.0001

In our study, cut off value of leech score was >=9 in 92.2% of cases (11.04±2.1). Cut off value of barr score in 97.1% of cases were >=10 (Table 3). Cut off value for Blethyn score was 2.

TABLE 3
Cut off value for Leech and Barr Scoring system

	Leech score		Barr score
	Mean	Cutoff >9	Mean	Cutoff >10
Case	11.04 ± 2.1	92.2%	14.8 ± 3.5	97.1%
Control	5.66 ± 3.22	20.6%	7.15 ± 5.59	31.4%

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Diagnostic accuracy of Barr scoring system was 87% in our study. If score >11, sensitivity and specificity was 83% and 79% respectively. Another study recommended Barr score as a useful in diagnosis and also response to treatment of fecal impaction in children⁷. In the study by Beckmann et al., sensitivity and specificity was 77% and 35% respectively². Pensabene et al. reported sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 48% respectively¹⁶. Specificity of Beckmann et al. and Pensabene et al. studies were significantly lower than our study. Benninga et al., in their study showed that abdominal radiograph, even when assessed with the Barr-score is unreliable in diagnosis of constipation³. This difference may be due to difference in mean age of sample of above studies.

Diagnostic accuracy of Leech scoring system was 90% according to our study. If score>9, specificity and sensitivity will be 80% and 92% respectively. Leech et al. reported sensitivity and specificity were 76% and 75% respectively¹⁶. Pensabene et al. reported sensitivity and specificity of Leech score 57% and 74% respectively¹⁶.The result of our study and Leech et al.¹³ study was similar. Koh et al. showed that Leech score is a simple and useful method for evaluation and follow up of fecal impaction in children¹². Koh et al. also reported that there is significant association between Leech scoring system and defecation frequency or abdominal pain¹². In the study by Moon et al. on patients after stroke, they showed significant correlation between Leech score and constipation score¹⁵.

In our study, Blethyn scoring system had diagnostic accuracy about 78% in diagnosis of functional constipation in children. Sensitivity and specificity of Blethyn score was 79% and 92% respectively if score >2. Blethyn et al. on their study found radiography had 80% accuracy in diagnosis of functional constipation in children⁵. The results of two studies were similar. Jackson et al. studied 98 radiograph from 53 children¹¹. In the study by Jackson et al., they showed moderate diagnostic accuracy for Blethyn; and hence is not recommended as a useful modality for assessment of constipation¹¹. Summary of other studies were included in Table 4.

TABLE 4
Sensitivity and specificity of plain abdominal radiography in diagnosis of constipation compared to our study

Specificity	Sensitivity	Mean age (yr)	Sample size	Place of study	Year of study	Scoring system	Sutdy
90	80	8.7	42	Boston, USA	1979	Barr	Barr et al.1
75	76	5.3	100	Oxford, UK	1999	Leech	Leech et al.15
43	60	8	101	Amsterdam, Netherland	1995	Barr	Benninga et al.3
35	77	7.9	251	Milwaukee, USA	2001		Beckmann et al.2
Barr = 48	Barr = 75
Leech = 74	Leech = 57		160	Boston, USA	2001	Leech	Pensabene et al.16
Barr = 79	Barr = 83					Barr
Leech = 80	Leech = 92		204 (cases = 102, control = 102)	Ahvaz, Iran	2014	Leech	Rezazadeh et al. (Current study)
Blethyn = 92	Blethyn = 79					Blethyn

As shown above there is controversies about usefulness of Barr, Blethyn, and Leech score for evaluation and follow up of fecal impaction in children.Age of the cases in above studies were different. Beckmann studied children aged 2-12 years old².Leech et al. included infant aged 1 month to children aged 14 years old¹³. Benninga et al. studied children aged 5-14 years³. In the current study, children aged 2-14 years were included. This difference in the age range may be the cause of different results in sensitivity and specificity of scores.

Barr, Blethyn and Leech scores were significantly higher in children with abdominal pain and constipation in contrast to children with abdominal pain and without constipation. Sensitivity of Leech score was more than Barr and Blethyn scoring systems. Specificity of Blethyn score was more than Bar and Leech score. More studies are required for better conclusion.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Data used in this manuscript was from general phyician thesis of Dr. Farzaneh Chahardahcherik and supported by research affair of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

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• 2
  Disclosure of funding: no funding received
• 3
  Limitation: Post treatment evaluation is lacking.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Jul-Sep 2016

History

• Received
  09 Jan 2016
• Accepted
  04 Mar 2016