Evaluation of functional constipation frequency and related factors

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Psychiatry
• Primary Care Research

Background:

• Functional constipation (FC) is a prevalent gastrointestinal complaint encountered in primary care settings.
• Accurate diagnosis of FC is crucial due to varying treatment approaches.
• The study investigates potential links between FC and psychological factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of functional constipation (FC) in İzmir using ROME IV criteria.
• To explore the association of FC with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and personality traits.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analytical study involving 990 adult participants from 11 Family Health Centers in İzmir.
• Data collection included face-to-face interviews utilizing ROME IV criteria, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview OCD module, and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of FC was found to be 7% (n=69) among the participants.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was diagnosed in 13% of cases, a significantly higher rate compared to the general population (P = 0.003).
• Patients with FC exhibited significantly lower emotional stability scores (P = 0.038).

Conclusions:

• Functional constipation is common in primary care and warrants careful diagnosis.
• Individuals diagnosed with FC show a significantly higher prevalence of OCD and lower emotional stability.
• Psychiatric conditions and personality traits may play a role in the development or manifestation of FC.