AIM: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 ...AIM: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 selfreport 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 indi-vidual 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.CONCLUSION: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.展开更多
基金Supported by National Health and Medical Research Council Australia(ID 455213)
文摘AIM: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 selfreport 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 indi-vidual 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.CONCLUSION: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.
