Cross-sectionl Study on Relationship between Constipation and Medication

Abstract

Constipation frequently occurs as an adverse reaction with many drugs.However,the relative risk of its occurrence with individual drugs had not been clarified. To clarify the relationship between constipation and various drugs,we investigated the defecation frequency and use of -laxatives for 251 inpatients on admission.They were divided into a constipation group (defecation interval>3 days and/or using laxatives,n=73)and non-constipation group (defecation interval<3 days and no laxative use,n=178).A comparison of the patient backgrounds of the 2 groups revealed significant differences in age,gender,numbers of drugs taken regularly,colon cancer,use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including low-dose aspirin and use of hypnotics,antidepressants,anti-anxiety drugs,and iron preparations.Multiple logistic regression analysis using these nine factors as autonomous variables showed that female gender (odds ratio[OR]: 2.01 ; 95% confidence interval[CI]: 1.06-3.81 ; P=0.033)and use of hypnotics (OR : 3.98 ; 95% CI : 1.40-11.28 ; P=0.010)were significantly related to constipation.Therefore,as hypnotics appear to more likely to cause constipation than other drugs they should be used with caution.