Analysis of Factors Related to Constipation in Hospitalised Patients with Schizophrenia: A Study from Wuhan, China

To investigate the factors associated with constipation in patients with schizophrenia.

This retrospective study analysed medical records of hospitalised patients with schizophrenia admitted to a psychiatric department in Wuhan between January and December 2023. Demographic and clinical data were collected and cross-checked by psychiatrists. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors.

Among 904 patients, 268 (29.65%) had constipation, including incomplete intestinal obstruction (5.97%), anal fissures (20.89%) and haemorrhoids (38.10%). The prevalence was higher in women (33.59%) than in men (26.73%). Multivariate logistic regression identified poverty (odds ratio [OR] = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.14-2.23, P = 0.006), disease duration ≥10 years (OR = 4.13, 95% CI: 2.41-7.07, P < 0.001), clozapine use (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.67-3.94, P < 0.001), combined drug therapy (OR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.67-3.99, P < 0.001), comorbid anxiety disorders (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.79-3.88, P < 0.001), comorbid hypertension (OR = 3.84, 95% CI: 2.73-5.39, P < 0.001), dyslipidaemia (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.21-2.71, P = 0.004) and smoking (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.13-2.20, P = 0.008) as independent risk factors. Subgroup analyses showed stronger associations between clozapine and constipation in women and between long disease duration and constipation in older patients.

The prevalence of constipation in patients with schizophrenia is high. For high-risk groups with the above factors, early intervention should be implemented to prevent the onset of constipation and improve patients' quality of life.