Table 2 Characteristics of studies regarding the epidemiology of constipation in Europe, in special populations groups.
From: Epidemiology of constipation in Europe and Oceania: a systematic review
First author, year of publication, setting | Type of study | Definition of constipation | Study population (% of responders) | Prevalence per 100 | Factors significantly associated with increased odds for constipation | Quality score+ | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lopez Cara MA 2006 Spain [23] | Mailed questionnaire survey | ≤ 3 DPW | 414 (93) participants > 50 yr, selected by systematic random sampling | 4.4 | Consumption of olive oil, and meat. | 4 | F/M 2 |
Kinnunen 1990 Finland [24] | Interview-questionnaire survey by public health nurse | ≤ 3 DPW, difficulties in expelling stools because of the hardness or anal canal abnormalities | 5 groups of middle aged and elder population. 1. Hospital: 439 2. Olds people's home: 183 3. Day hospital: 78 4. Home > 74 yrs: 138 5. Home 41–50 yrs: 74 | Prevalence per 100 in the 5 groups 1st: females 79, males 81 2nd: females 57, males 64 3rd: females 30, males 25 4th: females 38, males 37 5th: females 20, males 3 | Female gender. Fecal and urinary incontinence. Age. Immobility. Living in old people's homes and geriatric hospital. Age over 84 years. | 5 |  |
Bommelaer 1986 France [25] | Interview-questionnaire survey, performed by a physician. | ≤ 3 DPW | 1200 participants. Randomized selection among healthy medical and para-medical personnel and medical students. Statistically tested to assure same participation of gender, age and socio-professional groups | 6.3 | Female gender. Use of laxatives. | 3 | F/M 1.12 |
Texerau 1989 France [26] | Interview-questionnaire survey, performed by a gastroenterologist. | Self reported | 667 participants in 4 groups. 82 medical students, 206 patients from local health center, 210 adults interrogated in an occupational medicine office and 69 persons from an olds people house. | 26 | Â | 3 | F/M 0.96 |
Chin A Paw M 2006 The Netherlands [27] | RCT investigating the effects of training on constipation, questionnaire study | Defined below* | 172 (76.8) participants living in long-term care facilities, 64–94 yr | 22 |  | 5 |  |
Ludvigsson JF 2006 Sweden [28] | Prospective cohort study, questionnaire survey | Reported by parents | 8341 (38.4) 2.5-yr-children from a birth cohort | 6.5 | Low maternal education, female sex, living in a large community, lack of older siblings | 3 | Â |
Iacono G 2005 Italy [29] | Prospective study, data obtained from 150 paediatricians | One bowel movement every 3 days or more | 2879 (96) newborns up to six months of age | 17.6 | Lower frequency of breastfeeding. | 4 | F/M 1 |
Miele E 2004 Italy [30] | Prospective study, data obtained from 13 randomly selected paediatricians | Rome criteria for children | 9660 children, 0–12 yr | 0.7 |  | 5 | F/M 1.2 |
Soligo M 2006 Italy [31] | Retrospective survey | Decreased stool frequency, difficult stool passage | 786 consecutive urogynecologic patients, average age 60 yr | 31.7 | Posterior colpocele | 4 | Â |