Self-reported Bowel Habits Research Articles

Differences in gut microbial composition correlate with regional brain volumes in irritable bowel syndrome

BackgroundPreclinical and clinical evidence supports the concept of bidirectional brain-gut microbiome interactions. We aimed to determine if subgroups of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subjects can be identified based on differences in gut microbial composition, and if there are correlations between gut microbial measures and structural brain signatures in IBS.MethodsBehavioral measures, stool samples, and structural brain images were collected from 29 adult IBS and 23 healthy control subjects (HCs). 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing was used to profile stool microbial communities, and various multivariate analysis approaches were used to quantitate microbial composition, abundance, and diversity. The metagenomic content of samples was inferred from 16S rRNA gene sequence data using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt). T1-weighted brain images were acquired on a Siemens Allegra 3T scanner, and morphological measures were computed for 165 brain regions.ResultsUsing unweighted Unifrac distances with hierarchical clustering on microbial data, samples were clustered into two IBS subgroups within the IBS population (IBS1 (n = 13) and HC-like IBS (n = 16)) and HCs (n = 23) (AUROC = 0.96, sensitivity 0.95, specificity 0.67). A Random Forest classifier provided further support for the differentiation of IBS1 and HC groups. Microbes belonging to the genera Faecalibacterium, Blautia, and Bacteroides contributed to this subclassification. Clinical features distinguishing the groups included a history of early life trauma and duration of symptoms (greater in IBS1), but not self-reported bowel habits, anxiety, depression, or medication use. Gut microbial composition correlated with structural measures of brain regions including sensory- and salience-related regions, and with a history of early life trauma.ConclusionsThe results confirm previous reports of gut microbiome-based IBS subgroups and identify for the first time brain structural alterations associated with these subgroups. They provide preliminary evidence for the involvement of specific microbes and their predicted metabolites in these correlations.

Su1530 - Fecal Burden on Abdominal Computerized Tomography does not Correlate with Patient's Self-Reported Bowel Habits, Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms or a Diagnosis of Functional Constipation

Su1530 - Fecal Burden on Abdominal Computerized Tomography does not Correlate with Patient's Self-Reported Bowel Habits, Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms or a Diagnosis of Functional Constipation

Cross-sectional Study on Relationship between Constipation and Medication in Consideration of Sleep Disorder

Constipation can be caused by adverse drug reactions as a result of many drugs and might be induced by sleep disorders; however, the relative risk of its occurrence with individual drugs and the influence of sleep conditions have not been clarified. To clarify the relationship between constipation and various drugs in consideration of sleep disorders, we investigated the self-reported bowel habits, use of laxatives, and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS, a self-administered psychometric instrument to measure insomnia) in 344 inpatients on admission. They were divided into a constipation group (self-reported bowel habits of "Constipation" or "Occasional constipation" and/or use of laxatives, n=161) and a non-constipation group (both "Normal" and the non-use of laxatives, n=183). A comparison of the backgrounds of the two patient groups revealed significant differences in age, gender, number of used drugs, AIS score, hypothyroidism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, use of diuretics, coronary vasodilators, thyroid hormones, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and hypnotics. Multiple logistic regression analysis using these fourteen factors as autonomous variables showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.04; p=0.007), female gender (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.21-3.18; p=0.006), the AIS score (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.18; p=0.010), and the use of hypnotics (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.30-4.16; p=0.004) were significantly related to constipation; therefore, as hypnotics appear more likely to cause constipation than other drugs, they should be used with caution.

ASGE guideline: guideline on the use of endoscopy in the management of constipation

Constipation is a common symptom affecting 2% to 27% of the population and resulting in about 2.5 million physician visits in the United States. 1 Sonnenberg A. Koch T.R. Physician visits in the United States for constipation: 1958-1986. Dig Dis Sci. 1989; 34: 606-611 Crossref PubMed Scopus (278) Google Scholar , 2 Pare P. Ferrazzi S. Thompson W.G. Irvine E.J. Rance L. An epidemiological survey of constipation in Canada: definitions, rates, demographics, and predictors of health care seeking. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001; 96: 3130-3137 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar The prevalence of constipation is higher in women than in men 3 Heaton K.W. Radvan J. Cripps H. Mountford R.A. Braddon F.E. Hughes A.O. Defecation frequency and timing, and stool form in the general population: a prospective study. Gut. 1992; 33: 818-824 Crossref PubMed Scopus (527) Google Scholar and increases with age. 4 Johanson J.F. Sonnenberg A. Koch T.R. Clinical epidemiology of chronic constipation. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1989; 11: 525-536 Crossref PubMed Scopus (195) Google Scholar Low socioeconomic status, physical inactivity, a history of sexual abuse, and depression have all been reported as risk factors for constipation. 5 Everhart J.E. Go V.L. Johannes R.S. Fitzsimmons S.C. Roth H.P. White L.R. A longitudinal survey of self-reported bowel habits in the United States. Dig Dis Sci. 1989; 34: 1153-1162 Crossref PubMed Scopus (338) Google Scholar

A population-based study on defecatory conditions in Japanese subjects: methods for self-evaluation.

We examined the defecatory conditions in a population of Japanese subjects and analyzed the measured parameters as a means for self-evaluation of defecation. Subjects (n=1195) were residents of northern Japan and were all aged over 40 years. The state of defecation and fecal characteristics were assessed with regard to nine parameters including "self-reported bowel habit" and "bowel movement frequency." Logistic regression analysis was carried out to analyze the association between the complaint of constipation and other eight parameters. A higher tendency for constipation was noted in women than in men. The highest value of the odds ratio was "bowel movement frequency"; especially the value "once per three days or more" was noted in both genders (odds ratio: 13.38 and 42.46 in men and women, respectively). In addition, "stool appearance", "length of time for bowel movement", "straining after bowel movement", "alternating diarrhea/constipation/disorder" and "travel-related changes in bowel movements" were significantly related with the complaint of constipation ("self-reported bowel habits") in both genders. In conclusion, the study elucidated that personal and subjective evaluation of bowel habits in normal subjects consisted of various factors under the heading of "bowel movement frequency".

A Population-based Study on Bowel Habits in a Swedish Community: Prevalence of Faecal Incontinence and Constipation

Background: The self-reported bowel habits and the prevalence of faecal incontinence and constipation in men and women between the ages of 31 and 76 are assessed. Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample ( n = 2000) of the total population of persons between the ages of 31 and 76 living in the County of Östergötland, Sweden. Results: The response rate was 80.5%. Overall, 67.8% reported one bowel movement per day and 4.4% had more than 21 or less than 3 bowel movements per week. This means that 95.6% had between 3 bowel movements a day to 3 bowel movements a week. Among women, 4.3%, and among men, 1.7%, reported less than 3 bowel movements per week. Women and men used the same terms to describe the definition of constipation. Women had a significantly higher self-reported prevalence of constipation than men ( P < 0.0001). About 20% of all women considered themselves constipated. The use of laxatives increased with age and 22% and 10% of elderly women and men, respectively, used laxatives including bulking agents for at least every fourth toilet procedure. About 10% reported leakage of faeces more often than once a month in the case of loose stools. With solid faeces, the rate of leakage was 1.4% and 0.4% for women and men, respectively. Soiling of underclothes more than once a month occurred in 21% of men and in 14.5% of women ( P = 0.006) and involuntary daily leakage of gas in 5.9% of men and 4.9% of women (n.s.). Conclusions: Constipation and faecal incontinence are common problems in a general Swedish population.

Physical activity and fiber prevented diverticular disease in men

EtiologyJuly 1, 1995Physical activity and fiber prevented diverticular disease in menLawrence Cheskin, MDLawrence Cheskin, MDJohns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA (L.C.)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/ACPJC-1995-123-1-023 SectionsAboutFull Text ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Source CitationAldoori WH, Giovannucci EL, Rimm EB, et al. Prospective study of physical activity and the risk of symptomatic diverticular disease in men. Gut. 1995 Feb;36:276-82.References1 Parks TG. Natural history of diverticular disease of the colon. Clin Gastroenterol. 1975;4:53-69. Google Scholar2 Gear JS, Ware A, Fursdon P, et al. Symptomless diverticular disease and intake of dietary fibre. Lancet. 1979;1:511-4. Google Scholar3 Everhart JE, Go VL, Johannes RS, et al. A longitudinal study of self-reported bowel habits in the United States. Dig Dis Sci. 1989;34:1153-62. Google Scholar4 Cheskin LJ, Crowell MD, Kamal N, et al. The effects of acute exercise on colonic motility. Journal of Gastrointestinal Motility. 1992;4:173-7. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA (L.C.) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails July 1, 1995Volume 123, Issue 1Page: 23KeywordsAgingBody mass indexCohort studiesColonConstipationDietEpidemiologyExerciseFatsHabitsHemorrhageMedical risk factorsMultivariate analysisProspective studiesRunningSportsSwimmingUlcerative colitisWalking ePublished: 9 March 2020 Issue Published: July 1, 1995 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1995 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.Loading ...

A longitudinal survey of self-reported bowel habits in the United States.

Information concerning bowel habits was gathered from a representative sample of 14,407 United States adults in the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 1971-1975 and approximately 10 years later among the same individuals. The prevalence of self-reported constipation, diarrhea, infrequent defecation (three or fewer bowel movements per week), and frequent defecation (two or more bowel movements per day) increased with aging. Women were more likely than men (P less than 0.05) to report constipation (20.8% compared to 8.0%) and infrequent defecation (9.1% compared to 3.2%). Blacks were more likely than whites to report infrequent defecation (P less than 0.05). Older respondents reporting constipation were more likely to use laxatives or stool softeners than younger respondents reporting constipation, but they were also less likely to have infrequent defecation. To evaluate factors predictive of impaired bowel function, case definitions were created using information concerning complaint of constipation, laxative use, frequency of defecation, and stool consistency. Female gender, black race, fewer years of education, low physical activity, and symptoms of depression were independent risk factors for impaired bowel function. This study provides national estimates of bowel complaints and their natural history and examines possible risk factors for constipation.