Background: Constipation is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal tract which affects the quality of life (QOL) of patients. However, findings of studies on the relationship between obesity and constipation are conflicting. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship of general and central obesity with constipation and functional constipation in a large group of Iranian adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4457 adults, through obtaining anthropometric measures using a validated self-report questionnaire. The subjects were classified into three categories of normal weight, overweight, and obese based on their body mass index (BMI) and normal, central overweight, and central obesity based on their waist circumference. The prevalence of constipation, functional constipation, and its components was investigated according to Rome III criteria.Findings: The prevalence of constipation and functional constipation among the study population was 33.6% and 15.3%, respectively. After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, obese individuals were at a 32% greater risk of constipation compared to those with normal BMI (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03-1.71). There was no significant association between general obesity and functional constipation. Gender-stratified analysis revealed a significant association between overweight and obesity, and constipation among women in the crude model; overweight women (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.02-1.45) and obese women compared to women with normal BMI (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.26-2.15) were 21% and 65% more likely to have constipation. Although significant associations were found between abdominal obesity, and constipation and functional constipation in the crude model, these associations disappeared with adjustment for confounding factors. Gender-stratified analysis revealed no significant associations between abdominal obesity, and risk of constipation or functional constipation in men or women.Conclusion: General obesity was associated with a significant increase in the risk of constipation, while abdominal obesity was not associated with constipation and functional constipation. General obesity was related to increased risk of constipation in women. However, no significant association was found between constipation and functional constipation, and obesity or abdominal obesity in men.

Background: Constipation and functional constipation are of the prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders with negative effects on health-related quality of life and have high socioeconomic burden. In this study, the prevalence of these disorder and their related factors were evaluated.Methods: This study was a part of a great study with 4763 participants that evaluated constipation and functional constipation using Rome III questionnaire and demographic questionnaire.Findings: The prevalence of constipation and functional constipation were 33.4% and 15.2%, respectively and both were more common in women than men. Sensation of incomplete defecation was the most prevalent symptom. Using manual maneuver was the less prevalent and most severe symptom. Having hard stool was the mildest symptom among participants. All Symptoms was more prevalent in women.Conclusion: Constipation and functional constipation are prevalent disorders around the world. These conditions need more attention and attempts to prevent and treat.

Background: Functional constipation (FC) and constipation-predominant irritable bowl syndrome (CIBS) are two main subtypes of constipation that can be distinguished by the Rome II criteria. Measuring colonic transit time (CTT) is an easy and cost effective way to evaluate constipation. This study was conducted to compare the CTT in patients with FC and CIBS. Materials and Methods: Those patients who referred to our hospital with complaint of chronic constipation were studied and those with no organic disease were included in this study. Using the Rome II criteria, they were then categorized as having FC or C-IBS. All patients ingested 10 radioopaque markers daily for six days. A plain abdominal x-ray was taken on the seventh day. Markers in the right and left hemicolon and rectosigmoid were counted and the total and segmental transit times were calculated and reported in hours. Results: A total of 45 patients with FC and 45 with C-IBS were enrolled into this study. The total CTT was normal in 42% of those with FC and in 55% of those with C-IBS. The mean total CTT was not significantly different between the two studied groups. Nonetheless, the mean rectosigmoid transit time of patients with FC was significantly higher than those with C-IBS (p=0.008). There was no significant difference between the right and left hemicolon transit time. Conclusions: Although the CTT of patients with FC might be higher than those with C-IBS, it seems that applying the Rome II criteria to distinguish these two groups does not affect the selection of treatment strategy.

Background: The linkage between consumption of fried foods and constipation was less studied. We aimed to assess the relationship between fried foods intake with constipation and functional constipation and its components in a large group of Iranian adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study on 4517 adults, fried foods intake was assessed using an eating-behavior questionnaire. Subjects were classified into four categories based on their fried foods intake: "never", "1-3 times per week", "4-6 times per week" and "every day". The prevalence of functional constipation and its components was defined according to Rome III criteria.Findings: The prevalence of functional constipation and constipation among study population was 15.3% an, %33.5 respectively. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, individuals who ate 4 to 6 meals of fried foods per week had lower odds ratios for functional constipation (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45-0.99), in comparison to those in the lowest category of fried food intake; more adjustment for dietary fiber intake disappeared this association. However, fried foods intake raised the risk of "sensation of incomplete evacuation" and "fewer than three defecations per week" by 36% (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02-1.79) and 159% (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.00-6.71) in females as well as frequency and severity of these symptoms in whole population.Conclusion: There was no significant association between fried foods intake and odds ratios for functional constipation. However, fried foods intake raised frequency and severity of some components of functional constipation.

Urination and defecation are complex functions and often misunderstood. They involve the coordination of completely different muscle systems. Dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES) refers to patients who have problems with both bladder and bowel control. The pattern of abnormal voiding seen in children can be quite variable. Some children hold their urine for extensive periods, overstretching their bladders and then urinate with perfectly normal coordination. Others have difficulty relaxing the sphincter during urination and void against the sphincter, straining the bladder extensively in the process. Finally, the outcome is inefficient voiding. All of these abnormal voiding patterns may also be associated with chronic constipation, which collectively is referred to as DES.

Background: Functional Constipation (FC) is one of the important digestive disorders in pediatrics. Its prevalence varies in different communities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of FC in our area between the school children and the impact of school on it.Methods: This study was done on 4 to 12 years old children of nine schools and kindergartens of Amirkola, (2007). After completing the constipation questionnaires by parents and children, all constipated children referred to gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis of functional constipation. All children were followed in summer when they didn’t go to school and in next year-the winter of 2009. Age, sex, the incidence of constipation in the school time and the summer holiday, health status of the toilets in school and the age of children were recorded when they learned to clean themselves.Results: Of all 493 studied cases the prevalence of FC was 21.3% (105 cases).There was no significant difference between the genders (p=0.913). All 99 constipated cases were reevaluated for constipation in summer and only 25 (18 boys and 7girls) of them were constipate. In the next school year the number of constipated case reaches to 90 cases again that there was significant relation between constipation and school months (p<0.01).Conclusions: The prevalence of FC in children was significantly high and school attendance had a great impact on it. We advise that the awareness of school officials and parents can reduce the prevalence of FC.

Introduction: Lubiprostone is considered as a useful laxative for functional constipation in adults. However, although lubiprostone is described in the Guideline of Pediatric Chronic Functional Constipation Treatment (Japanese), it has never been used as a pediatric medicine in Japan because there is no clinical usage experience in children. Here, the current research describes the first pediatric experience of lubiprostone in Japan, with a focus on measures against lubiprostone-induced nausea. Case Presentation: Lubiprostone 24- g capsules, 0. 38 to 1. 06 g/kg/time, were used with eight administrations in six patients with intractable functional constipation. All administrations improved defecation, fecal frequency, andthe Bristol stool scale score. Complete remission was obtained within four months in five patients (83. 3 %). Lubiprostone-induced nausea occurred in two administrations of greater than 0. 69  g/kg/time. However, a dose of 0. 90  g/kg/time with simultaneous administration of trimebutine maleate did not induce nausea in one repeat administration. Conclusions: Lubiprostone is useful for intractable functional constipation in children.