Bristol stool scale: Patient versus expert score data

The Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) is one of the most commonly used tools for evaluation of stool consistency. BSS ranges from 1-7 and each score is assigned to a given consistency of the feces. Self-reported characterizations can differ from an expert evaluation, and the reliability of BSS is unclear. The dataset consists of BSS scores by patients with inflammatory bowel disease collected throughout a 3-year follow-up, matched with scores assessed by experienced bioengineers (experts). The purpose of the study where data was collected was to compare patient scores to expert scores and hence determine the reliability of the BSS.

Methods
The data set consists of Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) scores as assessed by patients and by experienced bioengineers (experts). The study is a sub-study of IBSEN-III - a population-based observational inception cohort with prospective follow-up (Clinical Trials ID: NCT 02727959). The cohort consist of newly diagnosed IBD patients and symptomatic non-IBD controls living in the South-Eastern Health Region of Norway, included during a 3-year period from 2017 to 2019.