Open AccessClinical features of constipation in general practice in Italy
Author(s) -
Cottone Carmelo,
Tosetti Cesare,
Disclafani Giuseppe,
Ubaldi Enzo,
Cogliandro Rosanna,
Stanghellini Vincenzo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640614527283
Subject(s) - constipation , medicine , visual analogue scale , clinical practice , general practice , chronic constipation , disease , pediatrics , physical therapy , family medicine
Background Definition and diagnosis of constipation remain challenging, partly due to different perceptions of the disease by doctors and patients. Aim To evaluate prevalence and features of constipation among individuals seen in general practice, by comparing different diagnostic instruments. Methods Standardized questionnaires and the Bristol stool form scale were distributed to all subjects attending 10 general practitioners for any reason in a 2‐week period. The questionnaires investigated constipation defined according to: (1) self‐perception (yes/no); (2) a visual analogue scale; (3) Rome III Criteria. Results The prevalence of constipation in 1306 subjects (790 female, 516 male) resulted: (1) 34% self‐reported; (2) 28% by visual analogue scale; (3) 24% by Rome Criteria. Constipation was more frequent in females. A high frequency of symptoms of obstructed defecations was observed with differences among patients with self‐reported constipation with or without Bristol stool type 1–2. Conclusions Prevalence of constipation among individuals attending their GP ranges between 24 and 34%, according to the different definitions adopted. Symptoms of obstructed defecations are frequent. The combination of self‐evaluation and the Bristol stool type scale is potentially useful to identify subgroups of patients with different clinical features in general practice.