Chronic Functional constipation in adolescents: Clinical findings and motility studies

To evaluate the clinical findings and colonic transit time in adolescents with chronic functional constipation. Forty-eight consecutive adolescents with chronic functional constipation referred to the Gastroenterology Service at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil were studied. Clinical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent health 2004-06, Vol.34 (6), p.517-522
Main Authors: ZASLAVSKY, Carlos, DE BARROS, Sergio Gabriel S, GRUBER, Antonio Carlos, MACIEL, Antonio Carlos, DA SILVEIRA, Themis R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Biological and medical sciences
Brazil
Child
Chronic constipation
Chronic Disease
Colon disorders
Constipation - physiopathology
Female
Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen
Gastrointestinal Motility
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Other diseases. Semiology
Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus
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Summary:To evaluate the clinical findings and colonic transit time in adolescents with chronic functional constipation. Forty-eight consecutive adolescents with chronic functional constipation referred to the Gastroenterology Service at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil were studied. Clinical parameters were assessed using a questionnaire. Total and segmental colonic transit time were measured with radiopaque markers. Mean age at first visit was 14 +/- 2 years, and age at onset of constipation was 6 +/- 4 years; 90% of patients depended on laxatives, and 86% on intermittent enemas; 76% had a family history of constipation. There was no statistical difference in the amount of daily fiber ingested by patients and controls. Measurements of colonic transit time revealed that 60% of patients had slow transit constipation, 13% had pelvic floor dysfunction, 10% had slow transit constipation associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, and 17% had a normal colonic transit time. Decreased frequency of evacuation and palpable abdominal fecal mass were significantly associated with slow transit constipation. Functional constipation in adolescence consists of a heterogeneous group of colonic functional disorders. The identification of these different functional disorders in adolescents will guide specific treatment, which may prevent the progression of this symptom into adult life.
ISSN:1054-139X
1879-1972
DOI:10.1016/S1054-139X(03)00337-9