Abstract | BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of subtypes of chronic constipation has been considered difficult to achieve even in specialized centers. Although colorectal physiologic tests have brought an important contribution, it remains unclear in which patients these tests should be indicated for. AIMS: This study aims to establish a differential diagnosis for chronic constipation cases using clinical assessment and physiologic tests and to identify clinical parameters that could predict which patients need physiologic tests. METHODS: One hundred and seventy nine patients (83% females; mean age, 45) with chronic constipation according to Rome II criteria were initially treated by dietary advice and functional reeducation and those unresponsive (110 or 61.5%) were submitted to colonic transit time, defecography, anorectal manometry and electromyography, as needed. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: The etiologic diagnosis of chronic constipation can be achieved in most of patients on a clinical basis and some symptoms may be significantly related to specific diagnoses. Indications for physiologic tests should be based on specific clinical parameters.
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Authors | Antônio Lacerda-Filho, Marcílio José Rodrigues Lima, Marisa Fonseca Magalhães, Rodrigo de Almeida Paiva, José Renan da Cunha-Melo |
Journal | Arquivos de gastroenterologia
(Arq Gastroenterol)
2008 Jan-Mar
Vol. 45
Issue 1
Pg. 50-7
ISSN: 0004-2803 [Print] Brazil |
PMID | 18425229
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Chronic Disease
- Colon
(physiopathology)
- Constipation
(etiology, physiopathology)
- Defecography
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Electromyography
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Transit
(physiology)
- Humans
- Male
- Manometry
- Rectum
(physiopathology)
- Retrospective Studies
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