Table 2 Clinical characteristics (N = 60)

Duration of constipation (years)

1.85 \(\pm\) 1.04 (0.5–4)

2.15 \(\pm\) 1.43 (0.5–6.5)

-0.92

0.36

Number of co-existing morbidities

1.60 \(\pm\) 0.62 (1–3)

1.57 \(\pm\) 0.93 (0–3)

0.16

0.87

Number of medications taken

4.17 \(\pm\) 1.44 (0–6)

3.47 \(\pm\) 1.78 (0–7)

1.67

0.1

Characteristics

n (%)

n (%)

χ2 ²

p

Activity

Little

16 (53.3)

19 (63.3)

0.76 ³

Moderate

9 (30)

8 (26.7)

Much

5 (16.7)

3 (10)

Daily Consumption of fruits and vegetables

Little

7 (23.3)

8 (26.7)

0.64

0.72

Moderate

10 (33.3)

12 (40)

Much

13 (43.3)

10 (33.3)

Number of defecations

Daily

12 (40)

11 (36.7)

0.29

0.86

One time/2 days

10 (33.3)

12 (40)

One time/more than 3 days

8 (26.7)

7 (23.3)

Hypertension

Yes

14 (46.7)

17 (56.6)

0.60

0.44

No

16 (53.3)

13 (43.4)

Heart disease

Yes

11 (36.6)

9 (30)

0.30

0.58

No

19 (63.4)

21 (70)

Diabetic mellitus

Yes

12 (40)

10 (33.3)

0.28

0.59

No

18 (60)

20 (66.6)

Neurological diseases

Yes

5 (16.6)

7 (23.3)

0.41

0.52

No

25 (83.4)

23 (76.7)

Psychiatric diseases

Yes

6 (20)

7 (23.3)

0.09

0.75

No

24 (80)

23 (76.7)

Use of laxatives

Yes

9 (30)

11 (36.6)

0.30

0.58

No

21 (70)

19 (63.4)

Regular use of medication

Yes

28 (93.3)

25 (83.3)

0.42 ³

No

2 (6.7)

5 (16.7)

Use of ARB¹ / ACE² and beta-blockers 1. Angiotensin receptor blockers 2. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme

Yes

24 (80)

19 (63.4)

2.05

0.15

No

6 (20)

11 (36.6)

Use of diuretics

Yes

13 (43.3)

10 (33.3)

0.64

0.43

No

17 (56.6)

20 (66.6)

Use of calcium blockers

Yes

6 (20)

9 (30)

0.8

0.37

No

24 (80)

21 (70)

Use of calcium supplements

Yes

15 (50)

11 (36.7)

1.09

0.30

No

15 (50)

19 (63.3)

Use of antidepressants and benzodiazepines

Yes

13 (43.3)

16 (53.3)

0.6

0.44

No

17 (56.6)

14 (46.7)