Bowel habits in routine check-up subjects / 대한내과학회지
Korean Journal of Medicine
; : 36-41, 1999.
Article
in Ko
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-46572
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To estimate bowel patterns in the Korean, we surveyed routine check-up subjects about their bowel habits, using self-reported questionnaire. METHODS: We analyzed 2939 subjects (male 1430, female 1509; age range 25 - 65 years) who had visited health promotion center for routine check-up. Subjects were given a validated self-report questionnaire, which measured the defecation frequency; stool consistency; self-report of constipation; straining to defecate; and levels of laxative use. RESULTS: Of the whole subjects 96.4% had defecation frequency between three per week and three per day. The prevalence of two or less bowel movements per week (4.1% compared to 0.6%), straining to defecate (20.8% compared to 13.0%) and hard stool (18.0% compared to 9.3%) was higher in women than men (p<0.01). The prevalence of self-reported constipation was higher in women than men (9.0% compared to 2.9%, p<0.01). Women were more likely to use laxatives than men (5.5% compared to 0.6%, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Defecation frequency in most of routine check-up subjects is between three per week to three per day. Bowel dysfunction is a greater problem in women.
Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Epidemiology
/
Prevalence
/
Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Constipation
/
Defecation
/
Laxatives
/
Health Promotion
Type of study:
Prevalence_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
Ko
Journal:
Korean Journal of Medicine
Year:
1999
Document type:
Article