Table 1

Characteristics of studies regarding the epidemiology of constipation in Europe in the general population.
First author, year of publication, setting
 Type of study
 Definition of constipation
 Study population (% of responders)
 Prevalence per 100
 Factors significantly associated with increased odds for constipation
 Quality score+
 Comments
Siproudhis L 2005 France [16]
 Mailed questionnaire survey
 Emptying difficulties or unsatisfied defecation during the preceding 12-month period
 7196 (72) persons ≥ 15 yr, representative of the general population
 22.4
 History of vaginal delivery in women
 6
 F/M 2
Garrigues V 2004 Spain [17]
 Mailed questionnaire study
 Self-reported, Rome I, and Rome II criteria
 349 (71.4) participants, 18–65 yr, representative of the general population
 29.5 (self-reported) 19.2 (Rome I criteria) 14 (Rome II criteria)
 Female gender
 7
 F/M 2.2 Agreement between self-reported and Rome II criteria was moderate
Walter S 2002 Sweden [18]
 Mailed questionnaire study
 Self-reported, as 'sometimes, often or always' constipated
 1610 (80.5) persons, 31–76 yr, randomly selected
 19.8 of women 8.3 of men
 Female gender
 4
 F/M 2.4
Haug TT 2002 Norway [19]
 Mailed questionnaire study
 Self-reported, as 'minor or major complaints' during the last 12 months
 62651 (66.5) persons, > 20 yr
 20.2
 Anxiety, and less strongly depression
 4
 F/M 4
Frexinos 1998 France [20]
 Interview- questionnaire survey
 Self reported
 6000 (81) participants > 15 yr, selected by systematic random sampling
 35
7
Gaburri 1989 Italy Umbria [21]
 Interview-questionnaire survey, performed by a physician.
 ≤ 2 DPW for > 9 months in the last 3 years and/or straining at stool > 75% of the time
 544 (98). 104 medical students, 103 medical and paramedical employees and 326 randomly selected home interviewed persons.
 9.2
 Female gender presented significantly higher constipation rates.
 5
Bassotti G 2004 Italy [22]
 Prospective study
 Rome II criteria
 298 (61) persons recruited from the general population and asked to compile a daily diary on their bowel habits and associated signs and symptoms
 5 (< 3 DPW) 11.7(straining) 10.7(incomplete evacuation)
6

Abbreviations DPW: defecations per week, F/M: female/male ratio, Rome II criteria: at least 12 weeks, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding 12 months, of two or more of: < 3 DPW, hard or lumpy stools in > 1/4 of defecations, straining in > 1/4, digital manipulation of stools in > 1/4, sensation of incomplete evacuation in > 1/4, sensation of anorectal obstruction or blockage in > 1/4, +: critical appraisal guidelines for research articles determining prevalence, developed by Loney et al14

Peppas et al. BMC Gastroenterology 2008 8:5   doi:10.1186/1471-230X-8-5