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- Title
The importance of the history taking procedure in the assessment of clinical meaning of constipation symptoms.
- Authors
Skowrońska-Piekarska, Urszula; Fryc-Martyńska, Jolanta
- Abstract
Introduction: Because of the fact that constipation is more a symptom, than a disease and represents a subjective interpretation of a real or imagined disturbance of bowel function, the role of the physician is to assess the real extent of this symptom in a given case and to suggest possible further diagnostics and treatment. Aim of study: The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the most important questions to be answered and most important problems to be clarified in the history taking process in patients with constipation. Material and methods: Between 1997 and 2006, 150 chronically constipated patients (144(95%) women, 7-77 years old, mean 47.7 years and 6(5%) men, 45-77 years old, mean 48 years) underwent clinical evaluation, including taking of detailed history and, where needed, followed diagnostic protocol leading to possible surgical treatment of constipation. Results: The prevalence of symptoms differs substantially between two basic physiological groups of constipation. The crucial discriminating symptoms for slow transit constipation were lack of spontaneous evacuations and small frequency of bowel movements, whereas in the rectal evacuatory disorders group, incomplete evacuations and painful evacuations. Conclusions: Extended and symptom-directed history can suggest the most possible form of constipation and can elicit possible psychosocial influences.
- Subjects
RADIOTHERAPY; PLASMA gases; BLOOD coagulation; CONSTIPATION; DEFECATION disorders; INTESTINAL diseases
- Publication
Gastroenterologia Polska / Gastroenterology, 2007, Vol 14, Issue 4, p265
- ISSN
1232-9886
- Publication type
Article