Potential risks of constipation in the community

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

There are many factors that are thought to cause constipation, however the actual evidence for these associations is difficult to determine. These potential risk factors for constipation can be categorized into demographic, lifestyle and health related factors.

1. Constipation is a common public health problem

There are many factors that are thought to cause constipation, however actual evidence for these associations is difficult to determine. These potential risk factors for constipation can be categorized into demographic, lifestyle and health related factors. It is not clear whether most factors are related to constipation because other than gender, physical activity, residential location and health... there is not enough evidence or data. Therefore, further studies in adults living in the community are needed to understand the significance of each potential risk factor for constipation. A wide range of factors should be investigated in the same population, using multivariate analysis to determine which factors are actually associated with constipation in the community.
2. Potential risks of constipation in the community After a process of survey and analysis, researchers have synthesized factors affecting constipation including:
Topographical and economic factors socioeconomic; Life and behavioral factors; Health related factors. This is the first comprehensive review of epidemiological studies of community populations. This 30-year review of studies identified multiple factors that are considered likely to be associated with constipation in community-dwelling adults. However, when evaluating the results of the studies reviewed, it became clear that there was insufficient evidence for the association of most factors with constipation. In terms of demographic factors, female gender was strongly associated with increased constipation prevalence. There are different explanations for this, such as the influence of sex hormones. There is no clear evidence that increasing age is associated with increased constipation. Contrary to popular belief, many epidemiological studies show a higher prevalence of constipation in younger age groups. While the effects of increasing age can be explained by anatomical changes or medications, there is no clear explanation for the high prevalence of constipation in young adults.
In addition, geographic location within a country may be associated with constipation and there are indications that ethnicity may also be involved, however there are conflicting data on marital status. Data on socioeconomic factors such as income level, education level and job status are conflicting and appear to vary from country to country. Similarly, data for lifestyle factors are also mixed. While there is evidence that low levels of physical activity are associated with constipation, there is only limited evidence for fluid intake and no evidence for low fiber intake. The effects of smoking, alcohol, and coffee on constipation are unclear and cannot be confirmed in this review. However, it is clear that several health factors are associated with constipation. This includes low self-esteem, certain surgical procedures, certain medications, and various medical conditions including depression, hemorrhoids, neurological diseases, and some digestive and heart disorders. vascular and musculoskeletal.

3. Further studies are needed to comprehensively assess each factor There are many variations and complexities involved in the epidemiological studies performed to date. First, differences in population sample, study design, data collection and analysis methods may contribute to the different results obtained. In addition, results may be affected by differences in the definition of constipation - different criteria are used to define chronic constipation. Similarly, different criteria were used to identify comorbid conditions that would influence the outcome. When considering comorbid conditions, it is possible that the medications being used for treatment may be causing, in whole or in part, to cause constipation. This can certainly happen in conditions such as depression, musculoskeletal disorders, and cardiovascular diseases where constipation is a side effect of many medications used to treat it.
Any increase in the prevalence of constipation with age may be more related to secondary causes such as comorbidities and medications. Most constipation management procedures recommend increased fiber, fluid intake, and physical activity. It is likely that any study showing elevated levels of these factors is associated with high rates of constipation could indicate that these are more a consequence of constipation management than risk factors. cause constipation. This comprehensive and contemporary review of studies conducted in the community expands on previous work that has questioned the existence of factual evidence about potential risk factors for constipation. .
Apart from female gender, residential location, physical activity, and some health-related factors, it remains unclear whether most other potential risk factors are responsible for constipation because insufficient evidence or conflicting data. In view of the complexities associated with previous research, it is essential that further studies are performed in community-dwelling adults to better understand the significance of each risk factor for constipation. fertilizer. It is recommended that a range of factors be investigated in the same population sample using multivariate analysis to uncover those that are associated with any constipation or chronic constipation in the community. .

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References:
Werth BL, Christopher SA. Potential risk factors for constipation in the community. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27(21): 2795-2817 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i21.2795]