Constipation in the elderly from Northern Sardinia is positively associated with depression,malnutrition and female gender

Objectives: Constipation is a common complaint in older adults. The rise in life expectancy may amplify the problem and increase social expenditure. We investigated the major risk factors associated with constipation in a large sample of elderly.

Methods: Outpatients from Northern Sardinia attending a Geriatric Unit between 2001 and 2014 were enrolled. Demographic and anthropometric data, income, education and self-reported bowel function were collected. The presence of constipation was adjusted for cognitive status, assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test; single and cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS); current or past symptomatic depression and anxiety measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS); nutritional status, evaluated using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA); type and number of different medications used.

Results: 1328 elderly patients (mean age 77.7?±?7.2 years) were enrolled. Constipation was present in 32.1%, more commonly in women (35.4% vs 28.3%) and increased with age. The multivariate analysis showed a significantly greater risk of constipation in patients with a risk of malnutrition (OR?=?1.745, 95% CI: 1.043–2.022; p?=?.034), female gender (OR?=?1.735, 95% CI: 1.068–2.820; p?=?.026) and depression (OR?=?1.079, 95% CI: 1.022–1.140; p?=?.006). Other potential predisposing factors assessed such as MMSE, CIRS, body mass index, marital status, smoking habit, education, income and number of taken drugs did not show a statistically significant association. Aging was a risk for constipation also in patients free of medications.

Conclusions: Knowledge of risk factors associated with bowel alterations in elderly individuals may provide important clues for caregivers to prevent or reduce constipation.