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The impact of functional constipation on quality of life of middle-aged Black Americans: a prospective case–control study

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Abstract

Purpose

To quantify the impact of constipation on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Black Americans.

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.

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.

Conclusions

Functional constipation has a significant impact on HRQoL in middle-aged Black Americans, particularly in regard to mental well-being.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Abbreviations

HRQoL:

Health-related quality of life

PCS:

Physical component summary

MCS:

Mental component summary

SF-36:

Short form-36

FC:

Functional constipation

STC:

Slow-transit constipation

DD:

Dyssynergic defecation

GERD:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded, in part, by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Deerfield, IL. Additional funding was provided by the National Institute of Health (Grant 1K24DK083268).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Frank K. Friedenberg, Alia Dadabhai, Amiya Palit & Abhinav Sankineni

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  1. Frank K. Friedenberg
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  2. Alia Dadabhai
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  3. Amiya Palit
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  4. Abhinav Sankineni
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Correspondence to Frank K. Friedenberg.

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Friedenberg, F.K., Dadabhai, A., Palit, A. et al. The impact of functional constipation on quality of life of middle-aged Black Americans: a prospective case–control study. Qual Life Res 21, 1713–1717 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-0089-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-0089-z

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