title: Constipation in an elderly community: a study of prevalence and potential risk factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The epidemiology of chronic constipation in the elderly remains poorly defined. We aimed to study the prevalence of, and potential risk factors for, constipation in a representative elderly community, using symptom-based diagnostic criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  An age and gender-stratified random sample of 1833 eligible residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, aged 65 yr and over, was mailed a valid self-report questionnaire; 1375 responded (75%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall age- and gender-adjusted prevalence (per 100) of any constipation was 40.1 (95% CI 38.9, 44.4); for functional constipation and outlet difficulty or delay, the prevalence rates were 24.4 (95% CI 22.0-26.9) and 20.5 (95% CI 18.2-22.8), respectively. Self-reported constipation did not reliably identify functional constipation or outlet delay. Outlet delay, but not functional constipation, was more frequent in women; functional constipation, but not outlet delay, was associated with advancing age. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications were significant risk factors in subjects with functional constipation and outlet delay combined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In independently living, elderly persons, constipation is a common complaint; among these subjects, there appear to be symptom subgroups that can be identified.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Talley
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Zinsmeister
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Melton
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires