Validity of an observational assessment tool for multifaceted evaluation of faecal condition

Harumi Ohno,Kana Konishi,Motohiko Miyachi,Kumpei Tanisawa,Haruka Murakami

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40178-5

Abstract

Faecal volume, form, colour, and odour are associated with various diseases, dietary habits, and the gut microbiome. Multifaceted assessment of faecal condition will be needed for future research and practice. Faecal observation has advantages, as it is non-invasive, frequent, and easy. We have developed and validated an illustrative card tool for comprehensively faecal assessment. In 38 healthy adults, observations of volume, form, colour, and odour of faeces using the tool were compared to the objective characteristics of the actual faeces determined using a weighing scale, moisture meter, hardness meter, colourimeter, and odour measuring device. A significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.778) was observed between the number of faecal model (2 cm × 10 cm) units and the actual weight. The Bristol Stool Form Scale showed a significant positive correlation with the moisture content (ρ = 0.717) and negative correlations with faecal hardness (ρ = −0.843) and adhesiveness (ρ = −0.761). The L*a*b* colour space values of the stool differed significantly among observational judgments using the colour card tool. No significant correlation was observed between the observation of odour and the measured odour index. In conclusion, the faecal volume, form, and colour can be estimated by observation using the multifaceted assessment card tool.

Highlights

Human faeces consist of residues and moisture remaining after the absorption of nutrients from food and the bacteria coexisting in the intestine[1,2]
(2) A moderate significant positive correlation was observed between the observational stool form using the seven-level Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) and the moisture content
(3) There were significant differences in the L*a*b* colour values measured using the colourimeter among the observational colour responses in the faecal assessment tool

Summary

Introduction

Human faeces consist of residues and moisture remaining after the absorption of nutrients from food and the bacteria coexisting in the intestine (gut microbiome)[1,2]. The faecal condition is associated with various diseases[3,4,5,6,7,8,9] as well as the state of dietary and nutrient intake[10,11], and may be reflective of the characteristics of the gut microbiome[12,13]. This study was performed to develop and evaluate the validity of a multifaceted tool to assess faecal characteristics, such as volume, form, colour, and odour. To our knowledge, this is first validation study of an assessment tool for the observational evaluation of multifaceted faecal condition in healthy adults

Methods

Results

Conclusion