The impact of bowel dysfunction in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury and Spina Bifida – data from a sociological survey

Original survey questions and anonymised participants' replies data set.

The survey (available in Microsoft Word document) is composed of 86 multiple choice questions, where multiple responses were possible. Questions are grouped in six main categories:

General information: demographic data, bowel symptoms, how general health condition is perceived as impacting on bowel symptoms.

Bowel management history: data on onset of bowel symptoms, bowel management methods and health care professional support.

Reaching good bowel care: data on healthcare seeking behaviour and access to specialist health care professionals.

Bowel management over time: data on bowel symptom changes over time, bowel management challenges and factors influencing bowel symptoms.

Reaching transanal irrigation: data on TAI usage to explore routine, challenges and benefits.

Perception of treatment explored: what people would like to achieve in their bowel care and if this changes according to life situation.

Partecipant answers (available in Microsoft Excel documents) are transferred in spreadsheet and reviewed by the authors. Descriptive analysis only was possible. We described how people with Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury and Spina bifida expressed their preference, we do not intend to add a qualitative or quantitative description.

The analysis focused on the most generalisable data on the lived experience of participants with Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction.