A population-based study on bowel habits in a Korean community: prevalence of functional constipation and self-reported constipation.
Most studies of bowel habits have been conducted in Western countries. This study was conducted to estimate the epidemiology of constipation and the discrepancy between self-reported constipation and bowel habits in Koreans. Telephone interviews regarding bowel habits were conducted with a total of 1029 individuals in Korea, 15 years of age or older. Subjects were given a questionnaire which asked about bowel symptoms, sociodemographic associations, laxative use, and physician visits. Of all subjects 95.6% had a defecation frequency of between three per week and three per day. The prevalence was 16.5% for self-reported constipation, 9.2% for functional constipation (FC), and 3.9% for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Of subjects' self-reporting constipation, proportions of FC and IBS-C were 21.8% and 23.5%, respectively. Of subjects excluding self-reported constipation, the proportion of FC was 6.8%. Prevalences of self-reported constipation and IBS-C were higher in females than in males (P < 0.001). Of subjects' self-reporting constipation, 8.2% used laxatives. We conclude that constipation is a common problem in the general Korean population.
Jun
Dae Won
DW
Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Hanyang University Hospital, 17 Haeng dang-dong Sung dong-gu, Seoul 133-792, Republic of Korea.
Park
Ho Yong
HY
Lee
Oh Young
OY
Lee
Hang Lak
HL
Yoon
Byung Chul
BC
Choi
Ho Soon
HS
Hahm
Joon Soo
JS
Lee
Min Ho
MH
Lee
Dong Hoo
DH
Kee
Choon Suhk
CS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors