A Greek survey of community prevalence and characteristics of constipation.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the prevalence and the main characteristics of constipation in the Greek general population.


METHODS
The study sample included 1000 individuals, 15-64-years-old, who were citizens of Athens, Thessaloniki, or one of 11 Greek cities with a population of greater than 10 000, and the sample was selected by a stratified, multistage, random sampling procedure. Questionnaires were completed for each individual by personal interviews.


RESULTS
The prevalence of self-reported constipation within the last year was 14%, whereas another 2% of participants had constipation according to the Rome III criteria. Constipation was significantly less frequent in males than females (11 vs. 21%, P<0.001), younger individuals (15-29-years-old: 12%, 30-59-years-old: 17%, 60-64-years-old: 25%, P = 0.006) and citizens of Athens than in citizens of other Greek cities (19 vs. 13%, P = 0.008). The mean duration of constipation was 6.3 years (females: 6.9, males: 5.1) and its mean frequency was once per 4 days. Constipation was considered to be mostly because of inappropriate diet (51%), stress (30%), and absence of physical activity (19%). Constipated patients mainly used dietary modifications (48%) and/or traditional products (40%), and/or laxatives (48%), whereas 19% of them did not try to treat constipation.


CONCLUSIONS
Constipation is present in approximately 15% of the Greek general population being significantly more frequent in females and older age individuals. Current dietary habits, stress, and the way of living seem to be considered as its most common causes. Although the duration is usually long, a substantial proportion of constipated patients do nothing to treat the problem, whereas the majority of them use dietary modifications and/or traditional products without satisfactory results.
Papatheodoridis
George V
GV
Hellenic Foundation for Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 30 P. Ioakim Street, Athens, Greece. gepapath@med.uoa.gr
Vlachogiannakos
John
J
Karaitianos
Ioannis
I
Karamanolis
Demetrios G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
D054368:Laxatives