Abstract
Methods
Case–control design. Black subjects referred for colon cancer screening with a Bristol Stool Score of 3–5 for >75% of bowel
movements served as controls. Frequency-matched functional constipation subjects had to fulfill Rome III criteria. Both groups
completed demographic and health surveys. Short Form-36 assessed HRQoL.
movements served as controls. Frequency-matched functional constipation subjects had to fulfill Rome III criteria. Both groups
completed demographic and health surveys. Short Form-36 assessed HRQoL.
Results
We recruited 102 constipated patients and 100 controls. The groups were well matched demographically. After adjustment for
comorbidities, SF-36 scores for vitality, bodily pain, social functioning, and role-emotional were significantly lower in
constipated patients. Unadjusted physical and mental component summary scores (PCS and MCS) were significantly higher in the
control group (47.1 ± 10.6 vs. 43.3 ± 8.6; P = 0.005 and 50.6 ± 12.4 vs. 43.4 ± 11.8; P < 0.001, respectively). After adjustment for comorbidities, PCS differences were no longer significant (P = 0.54); however, MCS differences were significant (P = 0.004). Marginal mean scores for the MCS for controls and constipated subjects were 49.9 ± 1.2 and 43.6 ± 1.2, respectively.
The presence of a comorbidity was independently associated with PCS (P < 0.001) and MCS (P = 0.026) results.
comorbidities, SF-36 scores for vitality, bodily pain, social functioning, and role-emotional were significantly lower in
constipated patients. Unadjusted physical and mental component summary scores (PCS and MCS) were significantly higher in the
control group (47.1 ± 10.6 vs. 43.3 ± 8.6; P = 0.005 and 50.6 ± 12.4 vs. 43.4 ± 11.8; P < 0.001, respectively). After adjustment for comorbidities, PCS differences were no longer significant (P = 0.54); however, MCS differences were significant (P = 0.004). Marginal mean scores for the MCS for controls and constipated subjects were 49.9 ± 1.2 and 43.6 ± 1.2, respectively.
The presence of a comorbidity was independently associated with PCS (P < 0.001) and MCS (P = 0.026) results.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Brief Communication
- Pages 1-5
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-0089-z
- Authors
- Frank K. Friedenberg, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Alia Dadabhai, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Amiya Palit, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Abhinav Sankineni, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343