P0428 Validation of the Urgency-Numeric Rating Scale in Ulcerative Colitis and correlation with endoscopic, histological and manometric activity

Abstract Background The Urgency-Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is a scale that assesses the severity of bowel urgency (BU), a common symptom in ulcerative colitis (UC) associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to translate and validate this scale into Portuguese, as well as to assess the prevalence of BU in a cohort of UC patients and, in those in clinical remission, to evaluate its relation with endoscopic and histological activity and manometric changes. Methods After translation of the Urgency-NRS into Portuguese, patients with UC seen at the outpatient clinic were asked to complete the scale at T0, after 2 weeks (T1) and after 3 months (T2). PRO2, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, IBD-Disk and the Global Perceived Effect (GPE) scale were also completed. Acceptability, reliability, construct validity, responsiveness and interpretability were assessed. A subgroup of patients in clinical remission with BU underwent rectosigmoidoscopy with rectal biopsies and anorectal manometry and were compared with a control group (in clinical remission without BU). Results 126 patients were included (56,3% female), of whom 49,21% (n=62) had BU. Test- retest reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient 0,823). The Urgency-NRS scores correlated significantly with the PRO-2 (p<0,001), IBD-Disk (p<0,001), EQ-VAS (p<0,001) and EQ-5D (p<0,001), demonstrating construct validity. There were no differences in the Nancy histological index (p=1,000) between patients in clinical remission with urgency (n=14) and the control group (n=16). The Urgency-NRS values correlated with the volume of the first sensation on anorectal manometry (p=0,032). Conclusion The Urgency-NRS scale is an easy and quick tool for assessing BU and can be incorporated into clinical practice for the Portuguese population.