Examination of constipation levels and quality of life in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy

This study was carried out to reveal the results by examining the constipation levels and quality of life of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). A total of 40 children between the ages of 4-15 receiving active physiotherapy treatment in special education and rehabilitation centers in Siirt province and their caregivers were included in the research. In addition, all of these children were diagnosed with CP and they got scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scale from the Counseling Research Centers following a premier echelon health institution report. It was assessed with Gross motor level, GMFCS; the presence and severity of constipation, Constipation Severity Instrument (CSI); spasticity, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS); quality of life, Constipation Quality of Life Scale (PAC-QOL), the Pediatric Quality of Life inventoty (PedsQL) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); physical activity level, Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire (IPAQ) and stool characteristics, Bristol Stool Chart (BSC) and the 7-Day Stool Diary. While CSI scores were found to be notably higher in GMFCS level 5 values than in level 3, the PedsQL scores of level 3 were found to be significantly higher than those of 5 (p<0.05). Compared to those with di-paretic involvement, those with CP with quadri-paretic involvement were found to have higher VAS, CSI, and PAC-QOL values but lower PedsQL values (p<0.05). The correlation between MAS values for knee and foot-ankle and CSI in children with CP was significantly higher (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between BSC, 7- Day Stool Diary and IPAQ valuesof children diagnosed with CP and quadriparetic involvement compared to children with diparetic involvement (p<0.05). In conclusion, it is identified that the severity of constipation in children with cerebral palsy depends on the type of involvement, spasticity, and degree of involvement, and quality of life is negatively affected by the severity of constipation. Keywords: Cerebral Palsy; Quality of Life; Constipation.