title: Factor analysis identifies subgroups of constipation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether distinct symptom groupings exist in a constipated population and whether such grouping might correlate with quantifiable pathophysiological measures of colonic dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and ninety-one patients presenting to a Gastroenterology clinic with constipation and 32 constipated patients responding to a newspaper advertisement completed a 53-item, wide-ranging self-report questionnaire. One hundred of these patients had colonic transit measured scintigraphically. Factor analysis determined whether constipation-related symptoms grouped into distinct aspects of symptomatology. Cluster analysis was used to determine whether individual patients naturally group into distinct subtypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cluster analysis yielded a 4 cluster solution with the presence or absence of pain and laxative unresponsiveness providing the main descriptors. Amongst all clusters there was a considerable proportion of patients with demonstrable delayed colon transit, irritable bowel syndrome positive criteria and regular stool frequency. The majority of patients with these characteristics also reported regular laxative use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Factor analysis identified four constipation subgroups, based on severity and laxative unresponsiveness, in a constipated population. However, clear stratification into clinically identifiable groups remains imprecise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia. p.dinning@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Philip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Dinning
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Sergio E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Fuentealba
authors.forename: Jamshid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kalanter
authors.forename: Denis W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: David Z
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Lubowski
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Talley
authors.forename: Ian J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D003248:Constipation / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003672:Defecation; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives