Korean J Med.  2013 Jan;84(1):43-45.

Are Characteristics of Korean Constipation Patients Who Visited a Tertiary Referral Center Different from Those of Western Patients?

• Park MI

Abstract

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disease affecting approximately 14% of the world population. Characteristics of Korean patients with constipation who visited a tertiary referral center may be different from those of western patients. A recent retrospective study by Kim et al. published this month showed less preponderance of female, slightly higher average age of the patients, and more frequent use of folk remedies in Korean constipation patients compared to western patients. The rate of pelvic floor dysfunction among patients with functional constipation was more than 50% in a Korean tertiary referral center, which is comparable to that of western patients. Further large scale prospective studies will be needed to elucidate the characteristics of constipation in a Korean tertiary referral population.

Keyword

Constipation; Pathophysiology; Epidemiology

MeSH Terms

Constipation
Female
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Humans
Medicine, Traditional
Pelvic Floor
Referral and Consultation
Tertiary Care Centers