Evaluation of patients with constipation
Introduction and purpose: Constipation is very common in society, although its frequency varies according to the definitions used. % It is a gastrointestinal problem ranging from 2-28. As a result of the lack of complete objectivity in the definition of constipation, controversial results emerge regarding the frequency, pathogenesis and treatment of this problem. In this study, we aimed to determine constipation and its characteristics in patients who applied to our hospital's Gastroenterology outpatient clinic for various reasons.
Material and method: In our study, patients applied to our hospital's Gastroenterology outpatient clinic for various reasons between January 1 and June 30, 2005. The patients' files were examined retrospectively in terms of constipation and its characteristics. Rome II diagnostic criteria were used for the diagnosis of constipation. Results: Constipation was detected in 200 of 1000 patients included in the study (20%). Of the patients with constipation, 146 (73%) were women and 54 (27%) were men. The mean age was 53.45±16.72 years. While constipation was the primary presenting complaint in 48 patients (24%), 152 patients (76%) presented for other reasons. While (31.5%) was the dominant complaint in 63 patients, defecation 3 times a week or less frequently, (38%) was the dominant complaint in 76 patients, and difficult defecation was in (30.5%) in 61 patients. /strong> hard defecation was the main complaint. 34 of the patients (17%) were diagnosed with IBS. While (80%) in one hundred and sixty patients had no accompanying disease, (12%) in 24DM, (6%) in 12 patients. hypothyroidism, 3 (1.5%) hypokalemia and 1 (0.5%) uremia. 27 of the patients (13.5%) were using laxatives.
Result: In our study, the frequency of constipation was 20% in patients who applied to the Gastroenterology outpatient clinic of our hospital. We found it as >. We think that constipation is a problem that requires attention because it affects the quality of life, increases costs due to examinations and laxative use, and can coexist with important diseases.
Key words: Constipation, prevalence
Background/aim: Constipation is a frequent gastrointestinal problem. Prevalence of constipation varies between 2-28% according to different definitions. Because the definition of constipation is not definitive, it is difficult to estimate the prevalence, pathogenesis and treatment of this problem. In this study we aimed to determine constipation and its features in outpatients admitted to our Gastroenterology polyclinic for different causes. Materials and methods: In our study the files of patients admitted to the Gastroenterology polyclinic between 1 January-30 June 2005 were evaluated retrospectively for constipation and features. Rome II criteria were used for diagnosis of constipation.
Results: A total of 200 patients with constipation (146 females, 54 males) were enrolled into the study Mean age was 53±16.72 years. Constipation was the primary complaint of 48 (24%) patients and the remaining 152 (76%)were admitted with other complaints. Less than three bowel actions per week was the main symptom in 63 (31.5%) subjects, straining in 76 (38%) and hard stools in 61 (30.5). %). Thirty-four (17%) patients were diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There was no accompanying disease in 160 ( 80%) patients, but 24 (12%) had DM, 12 (6%) had hypothyroidism, 3 (1.5%) had hypopotassemia and 1 (0.5%) had uremia. Twenty-seven (13.5%) patients were using laxatives.
Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of constipation in outpatients admitted to our Gastroenterology polyclinic was 20%. We think that patients with constipation have to be evaluated more carefully because of its disturbance of life quality, increasing costs, laxative use and accompaniment with important diseases.
Key words: Constipation, prevalence
- INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE
Our cases with constipation
Constipation is a disease that is quite common in society, and its frequency varies depending on the definitions used, ranging between 2-28%. It is a gastrointestinal problem. As a result of the lack of complete objectivity in the definition of constipation, controversial results emerge regarding the frequency, pathogenesis and treatment of this problem. However, according to studies conducted in developed countries, it has been determined that 1/3 of patients with constipation complaints apply to health units. Many studies report that constipation is more common in women and with increasing age. Additionally, it is more common in blacks than in whites, in children than in adults, and in the elderly than in young people. Physical inactivity, insufficient fluid intake, comorbidities, low calorie intake, low income and education level, living in a rural area, history of sexual abuse, presence of depression symptoms, medications used and multiple drug use also stand out as risk factors for constipation. Each of the elements mentioned can increase the risk of constipation, but none of these elements is completely causal. Therefore, absolute improvement in bowel movements should not be expected as a result of correcting these factors.
For example, the positive effects on constipation with exercises performed by a generally inactive patient have not been clearly demonstrated. Although it is known that many constipated patients are also depressed, it is not clear whether this is a cause or an effect. In this study, we aimed to evaluate 1000 patients who applied to our hospital's Gastroenterology outpatient clinic in terms of constipation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In our study, patients were admitted to our hospital's Gastroenterology outpatient clinic between 1 January and 30 June 2005. The files of 1000 patients who applied between 1999 and 2010 were retrospectively examined. Rome II diagnostic criteria were used for the diagnosis of constipation. Straining for more than 25% of defecation, hard defecation for more than 25% in at least 12 weeks of the last 12 months (not necessarily consecutive), More than 25% have the feeling of insufficient defecation, 25% have 2 or more of the symptoms of defecation 3 or less frequently per week with finger intervention and/or support of the pelvic floor. taken into account. The cases with constipation were evaluated in terms of whether their primary complaint was constipation or not, what their predominant complaint was, accompanying complaints and diseases, use of laxatives and other drugs, whether an endoscopic procedure was performed, and the findings detected in those who underwent an endoscopic procedure.
- Table 1. Distribution of our patients with constipation by age
Under 50 years of age 50-60 60-70 70 years and over Total
80 53 29 32 200% 40 26.5 14.5 16 100
- Table 2. Predominant complaints of our patients with constipation
Number of patients %
Defecation 3 or less frequently per week 63 31.5
Difficult defecation 76 38
Hard defecation 61 30.5
FINDINGS
p>
Constipation was detected in 200 of 1000 patients included in the study (20%). Of the patients with constipation, 146 (73%) were women and 54 (27%) were men. The mean age was 53.45±16.72 years. 80 of our patients (40%) were under the age of 50. Of the remaining 120 patients (60%), 53 are (26.5%)5. decade, 29 of them were in the 6th decade and 32 of them were in the 7th decade and above (Table 1). While constipation was the primary complaint in 48 patients (24%), 152 patients (76%) presented for other reasons. While the dominant complaint was defecation 3 or less times a week in 63 patients (31.5%), difficult defecation was in 76 patients(38%), and difficult defecation was in 61 patients (30.5%) hard defecation was the main complaint (Table 2). While the primary complaint in our female patients was hard defecation, the primary complaint in our male patients was difficult defecation. Rectal bleeding was accompanied by rectal bleeding in 22 of the patients (11%). 34 of the patients (17%) were diagnosed with IBS. While (80%) in one hundred sixty patients had no comorbid disease, (12%) in 24 patients, DM, (6%) in 12 patients. Hypothyroidism, (1.5%) hypokalemia in 3 patients, and (0.5%) uremia in 1 patient (Table 3). 27 of the patients (13.5%) were using laxatives. While 5 of the patients using laxatives (18.5%) were under the age of fifty, 22 patients (81.5%) were over the age of fifty. An endoscopic procedure was performed in 68 of the patients (34%). These were (30.5%) colonoscopy in 61 cases, (1%) sigmoidoscopy in 2 cases, and (2.5%) rectoscopy in 5 cases. When pathologies that may accompany constipation in patients are examined, 34
Read: 0
