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Review
. 2014:2014:532734.
doi: 10.1155/2014/532734. Epub 2014 Oct 16.

Epidemiology characteristics of constipation for general population, pediatric population, and elderly population in china

Huikuan Chu  1 , Likun Zhong  1 , Hai Li  1 , Xiujing Zhang  1 , Jingzhi Zhang  1 , Xiaohua Hou  1
Affiliations
Review

Epidemiology characteristics of constipation for general population, pediatric population, and elderly population in china

Huikuan Chu et al. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2014.

Abstract

Objective. To acquire more data about the epidemiologic characteristics of constipation in different kinds of populations in China. Methods. Using "constipation" and "China" as search terms; relevant papers were searched from January 1995 to April 2014. Data on prevalence, gender, diagnostic criteria, geographical area, educational class, age, race, and physician visit results were extracted and analyzed. Results. 36 trials were included. Prevalence rates of constipation in elderly population (18.1%) and pediatric population (18.8%) were significantly higher than that in general population (8.2%). Prevalence of constipation defined by non-Rome criteria was higher than that by Rome criteria in general population. Prevalence rates of constipation were different for different geographical area. People with less education were predisposed to constipation. In pediatric population, prevalence of constipation was the lowest in children aged 2-6 years. Prevalence of constipation in ethnic minorities was higher than that in Han people. People with constipation were predisposed to FD, haemorrhoid, and GERD. Only 22.2% patients seek medical advice in general population. Conclusions. In China, prevalence of constipation was lower compared with most of other countries. The factors including female gender, diagnostic criteria, geographical area, age, educational class, and race seemed to have major effects on prevalence of constipation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age difference in the prevalence of constipation. Prevalence of constipation was the lowest in people aged 30–39 years old in general population and prevalence of constipation increased with age for people older than 30 in general population and elderly population. Children aged 2–6 years had the lowest prevalence of constipation and older than 6 years had the highest prevalence in pediatric population.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Regional difference in the prevalence of constipation. (a) In general population, the prevalence rate of constipation in Hong Kong was higher than that in Chinese Mainland. (b) In pediatric population, the prevalence rate of constipation in Hong Kong was higher than that in Chinese Mainland. (c) Prevalence rate of constipation in Northern area was significantly higher than that in Southern area in general population and elderly population, while there was no significant difference between Northern area and Southern area in pediatric population. (d) Prevalence rate of constipation in Eastern area was significantly lower than that in Midwestern area in general population, while prevalence rate in Eastern area was significantly higher than that in Midwestern area in elderly population, and there was no significant difference between Eastern area and Midwestern area in pediatric population.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Education difference in the prevalence of constipation. Prevalence rate of constipation increased with less education in general population and elderly population.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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