Frequency patterns of core constipation symptoms among the Asian adults: a systematic review
Background: In clinical practice, assessment of constipation depends on reliability, consistency and frequency of several commonly reported or core symptoms. It is not known if frequency patterns of constipation symptoms in adults are different between the West and the East. This review aimed to d...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English English |
Published: |
BioMed Central
2017
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/71807/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/71807/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/71807/1/71807_Frequency%20patterns%20of%20core%20constipation.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/71807/2/71807_Frequency%20patterns%20of%20core%20constipation_SCOPUS.pdf |
Summary: | Background: In clinical practice, assessment of constipation depends on reliability, consistency and frequency of
several commonly reported or core symptoms. It is not known if frequency patterns of constipation symptoms in
adults are different between the West and the East. This review aimed to describe core constipation symptoms and
their frequency patterns among the Asian adults.
Methods: Articles published in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Science Direct from 2005 to 2015 were searched
systematically. Studies were included if constipation satisfied the Rome II and or III criteria. Study populations
consisted of Asian adults above 18 years old and with sample size above 50.
Results: Of 2812 articles screened, 11 met the eligibility criteria. Constipation among Asian adults was characterized
by three core symptoms of ‘straining’ at 82.8%, ‘lumpy and hard stool’ at 74.2% and ‘sensation of incomplete
evacuation’ at 68.1% and the least frequent symptom was ‘manual maneuver to facilitate defecation’ at 23.3%. There
was heterogeneity in frequency patterns of core symptoms between different Asian studies but also differences in core
symptoms between constipation subtypes of functional constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.
Conclusions: In general, Asian adults perceive constipation symptoms in a similar but not equivalent manner to the
West. Recognition of core symptoms will increase the diagnostic confidence of constipation and its subtypes but more
studies of the various specific Asian populations are needed to address their differences. |
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