Water intake, dietary fibre, defecatory habits and its association with chronic functional constipation

Abstract

To study the association of water and fibre intake with defecatory habits of patients suffering from chronic functional constipation. A cross sectional study was conducted in 100 (51 females) adults suffering from chronic functional constipation. Using the questionnaire, information regarding defecatory habits of patients were collected. The Bristol stool scale was used to identify the type of stools the patient was passing. Dietary fibre intake was assessed by 24-h recall on three random days. Dietary fibre intake (insoluble, soluble and total) was calculated. Total fluid intake throughout the day was also assessed. The mean age of the patients was 43.9±14.1 years. Of the 100 patients, 80% of the patients suffered blockage while passing stools, 90% stressed to pass stools. 25% complained of blood in stools and 30% had satisfactory evacuation. Insoluble fibre intake was 28.2±11.7g, soluble fibre intake was 11.9±5.9g and total fibre intake was 40.1±16.3g. Mean water intake of the group was 1358±1090 ml. A significant association of water intake was found with frequency of defecation (X2 = 16.68), type of stool (X2=32.51), blood in stools (X2=11.78) and blockage (X2=9.69) (p=<0.05). No significant association was seen with stressing (X2=1.50), satisfactory evacuation (X2=5.16), urge to defecate (X2=0.25) and control defecation (X2=4.61) with water intake (p>0.05). No significant association was found of any defecatory habit and insoluble, soluble or total fibre intake (p>0.05). Water intake is associated with various factors of functional constipation. Awareness to increase water intake to relieve functional constipation needs to be generated.