Constipation in the elderly from Northern Sardinia is positively associated with depression, malnutrition and female gender

AbstractObjectives: Constipation is a common complaint in older adults. The rise in life expectancy may amplify the problem and increase social expenditure. We investigated the major risk factors associated with constipation in a large sample of elderly.Methods: Outpatients from Northern Sardinia attending a Geriatric Unit between 2001 and 2014 were enrolled. Demographic and anthropometric data, income, education and self-reported bowel function were collected. The presence of constipation was adjusted for cognitive status, assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test; single and cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS); current or past symptomatic depression and anxiety measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS); nutritional status, evaluated using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA); type and number of different medications used.Results: 1328 elderly patients (mean age 77.7 ± 7.2 years) were enrolled. Constipation was present in 32.1%, more commonly in women (35.4% vs 28.3%) and incre...