Development and Validation of a Simple and Multifaceted Instrument, Chronic Constipation-Therapeutic Efficacy and Satisfaction Test, for the Clinical Evaluation of Patients with Chronic Constipation.

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the newly developed chronic constipation-therapeutic efficacy and satisfaction test (CC-TEST) among patients with chronic constipation.

METHODS

Japanese patients with moderate or severe chronic constipation underwent a 4-week remedy. The baseline, 2-week, and 4-week assessments included the CC-TEST, Constipation Scoring System (CSS), Medical Outcome Study Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The CC-TEST comprises three domains: (1) symptoms; chronic constipation symptom severity (seven items), defecation status (five items), (2) impact for daily life; dissatisfaction with daily life level (DS; four items), and (3) therapeutic response; therapeutic efficacy measured by patients and medication compliance (four items).

RESULTS

Of 201 eligible patients at baseline, 110 completed the 4-week treatment and the survey responses. Cronbach's α values for the stool, defecation, and abdominal symptom subscales, as well as the total symptom score and DS subscale, showed good internal consistency reliability (0.72-0.80). Pearson's r for comparisons between corresponding items (CC-TEST symptoms with CSS, and CC-TEST DS with SF-8 physical and mental component summary scores) was significant. After 4 weeks, scores for symptoms, defecation status, and DS items/subscales notably decreased, with a significant effect size (p < 0.005, Cohen's d; 0.30-1.16). Statistically significant differences emerged between treatment responders and nonresponders using the three responder definitions, in changes in scores for most CC-TEST symptoms, defecation status, and DS items/subscales (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CC-TEST demonstrates commendable reliability, convergent and known-group validity, and responsiveness to treatment effects. As a simple, comprehensive, and versatile patient-reported outcome measure, CC-TEST may be well suited for clinical trials and primary care of Japanese patients with chronic constipation.