Quality of life in patients with different constipation subtypes based on the Rome III criteria.

BACKGROUND: Functional constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation are highly prevalent and affect the quality of life of those who suffer from them. AIMS: To evaluate quality of life in patients with functional constipation and irritable bowel disease in accordance with the Rome III criteria, using the PAC-QOL and SF-36 questionnaires. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires. The PAC-QOL, SF-36, and Rome III constipation module questionnaires were applied to patients that complained of constipation at the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. The constipation subtypes were: functional constipation (no pain), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (pain and/or discomfort ≥3 days/month), and unclassifiable constipation (pain ≤2 days/month). Data were summarized in proportions, and group comparisons were made between the scores of each of the areas of the PAC-QOL and SF-36 questionnaires using parametric tests (Student's t test and ANOVA). RESULTS: A total of 43 PAC-QOL surveys were analyzed, resulting in cases of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (14%), functional constipation (37%), and unclassifiable constipation (49%). There were statistically significant differences (P<.05) in Physical discomfort (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation vs. functional constipation and unclassifiable constipation vs. irritable bowel syndrome with constipation), Worries and concerns (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation vs. functional constipation), and Treatment satisfaction (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation vs. functional constipation and unclassifiable constipation vs. irritable bowel syndrome with constipation). A total of 93 SF-36 questionnaires were analyzed, describing cases of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (23%), functional constipation (27%), and unclassifiable constipation (51%). Lower physical energy was found in relation to irritable bowel syndrome with constipation vs. functional constipation (P<.0221) and unclassifiable constipation (P<.0086), respectively, and there was greater physical pain in the cases of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation vs. unclassifiable constipation (P<.0362). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in quality of life of patients presenting with constipation subtypes were identified using the PAC-QOL and SF-36 questionnaires. The patients that had the irritable bowel syndrome with constipation subtype experienced poorer quality of life in all the evaluated domains.

[Separation of cells of the erythrocyte series of birds and mammals by distribution in biphasic polyethylene glycol-dextran systems]. / Separación de células de la serie eritrocitaria de aves y mamíferos por distribución en sistemas bifásicos dextrano-polietilenglicol.

Experimental conditions for the partition, in dextran (Dx) polyethylene glycol (PEG) biphasic systems, of circulating red cells, reticulocytes and bone marrow cells from adult rats, as well as of erythrocytes from chicken embryos, young animals and adult chickens, have been studied. Once the partition coefficient (K) has been calculated under optimal experimental conditions, a counter-current distribution (CCD) apparatus has been used for the separation of cells in those populations, and the influence of different factors on the distribution of cells has been analyzed. An increase in the distribution efficiency of heterogeneous cells (those from the chicken and bone marrow of rats) is achieved by increasing the sedimentation time during the CCD procedure. The position of cells (previously labelled with 59Fe) along the rotor of the CCD apparatus is related to cells age, and thus allowed us to apply the CCD procedure for the assay of some enzyme activities in the separated cells.