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What is a coprogram
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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A coprogram is an analysis of human feces. A coprogram is used to make the diagnosis of diseases associated with constipation as accurate as possible. The condition and functioning of the entire gastrointestinal tract can be determined by fecal matter.
Why do they do a stool test?
A laboratory study of feces will help to clearly determine how the intestines work. What do feces consist of? They consist of food residues that may not be sufficiently absorbed or digested, digestive juices may not be used, intestinal epithelial cells and microbial bodies may also be found in feces. The presence of water in feces may indicate how much it is absorbed or not absorbed during digestion of food. Feces are located in the large intestine. This is the lower segment of the gastrointestinal tract, which requires detailed and careful study.
What does a coprogram give?
Coprogram is translated from Latin as excrement – copras. This includes a comprehensive study and diagnosis of the condition of feces. When the intestines are changed, they have pathological changes, this necessarily affects the condition of the feces. Its shape, color, consistency, smell, color, volume change. Residues of pus, blood, food, mucus can also be found in the feces. They can be seen without a microscope, with the naked eye. Based on these remnants, doctors can determine the condition of the intestines.
Chemical analysis of feces
What cannot be assessed visually by doctors can be determined using chemical agents, special reagents. This makes it possible to find protozoan parasites in feces, as well as worm eggs and the worms themselves. When the composition of feces deviates from the norm, something needs to be done about it - namely, treating the gastrointestinal tract.
Bacteriological analysis of feces
To determine the composition of the bacterial microflora of fecal matter, it is necessary to conduct a bacteriological analysis. This will make it possible to identify pathogenic microbes and such a condition of the intestine as dysbacteriosis.
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Character of feces
The nature of the stool can be used to determine whether a person is constipated. Constipation is characterized by a hard and dry consistency of stool. This means that the intestines are weakened and cannot cope with their roles properly. Then undigested food residues and dietary fiber will also be found in it.
Fecal occult blood test
One of the most common stool tests may be the fecal occult blood test. It can be used to diagnose many diseases that cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal system, including colorectal cancer or stomach cancer.
The fecal pH test can be used to determine lactose intolerance or the presence of infections. There is also a fecal fat test, which determines the intestine's ability to absorb fats.
Fecal elastase (an enzyme that breaks down peptides) at all levels is becoming the basis for diagnosing pancreatitis.
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Rectal examination
A rectal exam is an internal examination of the rectum by a doctor or other health care professional. It is often performed for constipation along with a stool test.
A digital rectal examination (DRE) is a relatively simple procedure. The patient undresses and then positions the anus so that it is accessible to the examiner (lying down, on the side, squatting on an examination table, leaning over an examination table).
If the patient is lying on his side, the doctor will usually ask him to bend one or both legs toward his chest. If the patient is leaning over the operating table, the doctor will ask him to place his elbows on the table. If the patient is using the prone position, the doctor will ask the patient to lie face down with the buttocks in the air.
The doctor will spread the buttocks apart and will usually be able to assess the external anus in this position for any abnormalities such as hemorrhoids, fecal lumps, or rashes. After the patient relaxes, the doctor will slip a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum through the anus and palpate the insides for about sixty seconds.
This study can be used:
- for the diagnosis of rectal tumors and other forms of cancer;
- for the diagnosis of the prostate gland and its disorders, in particular, tumors and benign prostatic hyperplasia;
- to diagnose appendicitis or other examples of the so-called acute abdomen (i.e. symptoms of acute abdominal pain indicating serious illness);
- to assess tone in the anal sphincter, which may be useful in cases of fecal incontinence or neurological diseases, including traumatic spinal cord injuries;
- for women with gynecological diseases to check the hardness and color of feces (i.e. in cases where a person is bothered by constipation and fecal impaction);
- for colonoscopy
- to assess hemorrhoidal changes
- in newborns, to prevent imperforate anus
This diagnostic test is often combined with a stool occult blood test, which may be useful in detecting the etiology of anemia and/or confirming gastrointestinal bleeding.