Using ultrasound to diagnose fecal impaction in older emergency patients
PoCUS Diagnostic Accuracy for Fecal Impaction in the Emergency Department: a Prospective Study
This study is testing if using ultrasound can help doctors quickly and accurately find fecal impaction in older patients in the emergency room.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 247 (estimated) |
| Ages | 75 Years to 130 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc- Université Catholique de Louvain Academic / other |
| Locations | 6 sites (Bruxelles and 5 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06333106 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) for detecting fecal impaction in patients aged 75 and older who are being considered for an abdominal x-ray. Fecal impaction is a common and serious condition in the elderly, particularly in nursing homes, and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. By integrating PoCUS into the diagnostic process, the study aims to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and potentially reduce the need for more invasive procedures. The multicentric prospective design allows for a comprehensive assessment across multiple clinical settings.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients aged 75 years or older who are being evaluated for fecal impaction in the emergency department.
Not a fit: Patients who do not understand the consent languages or have conditions that prevent the use of suprapubic ultrasound may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to quicker and more accurate diagnoses of fecal impaction, improving patient outcomes and reducing hospitalizations.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of PoCUS is gaining traction in various medical fields, this specific application for diagnosing fecal impaction in elderly patients is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients 75 years or older * Patient for whom the clinician in charge indicates that an abdominal x-ray should be performed to check for the presence of a fecal impaction * Informed consent, read and signed by the patient or their legal representative Exclusion Criteria: * Patient or legal representative not understanding one of the consent languages (French, Dutch and English) * Reasons making suprapubic ultrasound impossible
Where this trial is running
Bruxelles and 5 other locations
- Clinique Saint-Jean, Bruxelles — Bruxelles, Belgium (Recruiting)
- Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc — Bruxelles, Belgium (Recruiting)
- Grand Hôpital de Charleroi — Charleroi, Belgium (Recruiting)
- Jolimont — La Louvière, Belgium (Recruiting)
- Université de Liège — Liège, Belgium (Recruiting)
- Clinique Saint Pierre Ottignies — Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Florence Dupriez, MD, PhD
- Email: florence.dupriez@saintluc.uclouvain.be
- Phone: +3227647884
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.