Constipation in the period of limited isolation during COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 outbreak has become widespread globally and caused a new global chaos. This outbreak that completely affected the lifestyle of individuals resulted in periods of isolation. Here, we evaluated the effects of lifestyle changes with isolation on constipation.

A survey on constipation was performed during the 12-week isolation period starting in March 2020 in Turkey. Data of 390 individuals who participated in the survey through the social media and who were actively employed prior to isolation were analyzed. Rome IV criteria were used to evaluate constipation.

Among the participants in the study, 253 (64.9%) were women with the mean age of 39.5±9.5 years. A statistically significant association was found between the decreased water consumption during the isolation period and constipation after the isolation (p=0.020; p<0.05). A significant association was found between the changes in physical activity and constipation after the isolation (p=0.013; p<0.05). New development of constipation during the isolation or declaration of increased constipation was found to be statistically associated with post-isolation constipation according to Rome criteria (p=0.000; p<0.05).

The data of this present study demonstrated that isolation period was effective on the newly developed constipation. Decreased physical activity and water consumption are also effective on constipation.