Rev Assoc Med Bras 2005 Nov-Dec; 51(6): 334-41 (Read article online)

Oliveira SC, Pinto-Neto AM, Conde DM, Góes JR, Santos-Sá D, Fonsechi-Carvasan GA, Costa-Paiva L

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with constipation in postmenopausal women and evaluate the level of agreement between different diagnostic criteria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 postmenopausal women more than 45 old. The Rome II criteria, stool frequency per week and patient self-evaluation were the diagnostic criteria applied. Social demographic and clinical characteristics with their descriptive analysis were assessed. Subsequently, kappa (ê) statistics was used to assess the level of agreement between diagnostic criteria. The association between constipation and its possible determinants was studied by bivariate and multivariate analyses, using the prevalence ratio (PR). The confidence interval was set at 95% (95% CI). RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 58.9+/-5.9 years (range, 46-76 years). The prevalence of constipation was 47%, 37% and 26%, according to patient self-evaluation, the Rome II criteria and < 3 bowel movements per week, respectively. The best agreement found was between patient self-evaluation and the Rome II criteria (k: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.48-0.78). After multivariate analysis, the history of perianal surgery (PR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.03-7.01), according to the Rome II criteria; the presence of hemorrhoids, according to stool frequency (PR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.16-5.51) and patient self-evaluation (PR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.01-3.15) were associated with constipation. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of constipation in postmenopausal women was high. Agreement between diagnostic criteria ranged from moderate to good. History of perianal surgery and presence of hemorrhoids were associated with constipation.