title: Prevalence of constipation in a tertiary referral Italian Colorectal Unit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiology data on constipation are not commonly available, particularly in Italy Here we review the prevalence and clinical features of constipated patients attending a tertiary referral Italian center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data of patients attending our Coloproctology Unit in the last 15 years and complaining of constipation as the main clinical features were retrospectively analyzed. Rome-III criteria were adoptedto define constipation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1041/11881 patients were affected by chronic constipation (8.8%), 376 had slow-transit constipation, 497 obstructed defecation and 168 both types of constipation. 76% of them were females. Patients distribution according to sex and age was Gaussian-like only in females. In the slow-transit group, constipation was idiopathic in 59.3% and secondary to other causes in 40.7% . In patients with anatomic obstructed defecation, rectocele and intussusceptions were the main findings, while pelvic floor dissynergia was the main finding in functional outlet obstruction, although more frequently all these components were associated. In 14.8% no apparent cause was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Constipation accounts for about 9% of patients attending a tertiary referral Colorectal Unit. Females were much more frequently affected in both types of constipation. Anatomic and functional defecatory disturbances are frequently associated, although in 15% no evident causes were identified.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Constipation, Epidemiology, Obstructed defecation, Slow transit constipation.
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Travaglio
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Lemma
authors: Filippa
authors: F
authors: Cuccia
authors: Mirna
authors: M
authors: Tondo
authors: Ivana
authors: I
authors: Giannini
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Di Lena
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Giuratrabocchetta
authors: Donato Francesco
authors: DF
authors: Altomare
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019841:Defecography; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D007443:Intussusception / Q000209:etiology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020047:Rectocele / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index