Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation
Published on: July 5, 2024
Comorbidity of headache and functional constipation in children: a cross-sectional survey
Soror Inaloo1, Seyyed Mohsen Dehghani, Seyyed Mohammad Hashemi
1Neuroscience Research Centers, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. meshkat_114@yahoo.com.
Insights
Headache is significantly more common in children with chronic functional constipation. This study highlights a strong link between these conditions, suggesting potential impacts on emotional well-being.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Constipation and headache are common childhood conditions.
- Previous research linked upper GI issues with headaches, but lower GI issues like constipation remained unexplored.
- This study addresses the gap by investigating the association between chronic functional constipation and headache in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between headache and chronic functional constipation in children aged 4-12 years.
- To determine if constipation is a risk factor for headache in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 326 children in Shiraz, Iran.
- Diagnosis of constipation and headache utilized ROME III criteria and the International Headache Classification (ICHD-2), respectively.
- Children with constipation were recruited from a pediatric gastroenterology clinic, with a control group of healthy school children.
Main Results:
- Headache prevalence was significantly higher in constipated children (19.8%) compared to controls (5.6%), with an odds ratio of 4.192.
- This association was significant for non-migraine headaches and mild headache severity.
- Mild headaches were notably more prevalent in constipated children (14.9% vs. 1.4%).
Conclusions:
- A strong correlation exists between chronic functional constipation and headache in children.
- These comorbid conditions may be linked to emotional stress, depression, and anxiety.
- Findings suggest constipation as a potential contributing factor to headaches in children.
Background/Aims:
Constipation and headache are prevalent conditions among children worldwide. Previous studies have shown the relationship between upper gastrointestinal complaints and headache in children. However, the association with lower gastrointestinal complaints such as constipation has not been investigated until present. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between headache and chronic functional constipation in children aged 4-12 years old.
Materials And Methods:
This cross-sectional study has evaluated the prevalence of headache in 326 children in Shiraz, Iran 2012. All the subjects and their parents were interviewed based on a structured questionnaire for the diagnosis of constipation and headache. Children with constipation were selected from the Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic Affiliated to the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The control group was selected from healthy children attending Shiraz schools. Diagnosis of headache and constipation were made based on the second Edition of The International Headache Classification (ICHD-2) and ROME III criteria, respectively.
Results:
Headache prevalence among children with constipation was significantly higher (19.8%) than that of the control group (5.6%) [Odds ratio (OR) 4.192, p<0.001], which was significant only in the non-migraine headache subtypes (15.1% vs 2.8%, OR 25, p<0.002). Among the headache subtypes of different severity (mild, moderate, severe), only mild headache was significantly more prevalent in constipated children (14.9% vs. 1.4%, in the control group, respectively, p<0.001).
Conclusion:
This study revealed a strong correlation between headache and chronic functional constipation, which can result from the effect of these comorbid conditions with emotional stress, depression, and anxiety.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...