Prevalence of Constipation in Healthy Population, an Observational Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of constipation in healthy population ,study was done at hospital employees and students at PGMI/Lahore General hospital , Lahore .
Methods: This was an observational cross sectional study done in sample population that includes employees and students at PGMI/Lahore general Hospital. All subjects were given set of questions which include 4 constipation related symptoms.
1 - Frequency of bowel movements on a scale of 0- 4.
2 - Difficulty or painful evacuation effort on a scale of 0-4.
3 - Assistance required to evacuate.
4 - Duration of symptoms.
Total score was 15 of which 7 was the cut off score, people reporting score 7 and above were considered as constipated while below 7 were healthy non-constipated.
Results: Total 778 healthy individuals (clinically) interviewed. The age range was between 10year to 60 years old.66% participants were female whereas 34% were male. According to set of questions 14% participants reported constipation.
Conclusions: Constipation is a common complaint but poorly defined clinical constellation, the definition of constipation is different among studies, where most studies are based on a questionnaire and may result from organic condition. Overall, prevalence of constipation in adults has been estimated as 16% worldwide which is very close to our finding of 14% of healthy population reporting constipation. Demographics of subjects of most of 14% are female and above 55 years of age.
Keywords: constipation, healthy individuals, PGMI/Lahore General Hospital .