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Chronic functional constipation is strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency
Alba Panarese1, Francesco Pesce2, Piero Porcelli3
1Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Scientific Institute for Digestive Disease "Saverio de Bellis" Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Bari) 70013, Italy. alba.panarese@irccsdebellis.it.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
|April 24, 2019
Summary
Patients with intestinal motility disorders and chronic constipation have lower vitamin D levels, which are linked to poorer quality of life and psychological well-being. Routine vitamin D measurement is recommended for these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Intestinal motility disorders are disabling conditions often linked to chronic functional constipation.
- The exact causes of these disorders remain poorly understood.
- Limited research exists on the specific factors contributing to intestinal motility disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and functional chronic constipation in patients with intestinal motility disorders.
- To explore the impact of intestinal motility disorders on psychological symptoms and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-control study was conducted involving 86 patients with chronic functional constipation and intestinal motility disorders, and 86 healthy controls.
- Colonic and oro-cecal transit times were assessed using breath tests and capsule techniques, excluding small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured, and validated questionnaires assessed quality of life and psychological symptoms (IBS-QOL, SF-12, HADS-14).
Main Results:
- Patients with intestinal motility disorders exhibited significantly lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels compared to controls (P < 0.001).
- These patients also showed significant impairments in all quality of life and psychological assessments (P < 0.001).
- Low vitamin D levels significantly correlated with poorer outcomes in quality of life and psychological tests (r = -0.57 to 0.21, P < 0.001).
- Multivariate analysis identified low vitamin D levels as an independent risk factor for intestinal motility disorders (OR = 1.19, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with chronic functional constipation due to intestinal motility disorders.
- Anxiety and depression symptoms are also frequently associated with these conditions.
- Routine measurement of serum vitamin D levels is recommended for patients diagnosed with intestinal motility disorders and chronic constipation.
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