Baseline characteristics of patients and clinical presentation
| NLC (n = 52) | PGC (n = 50) | |
|---|---|---|
| Demographics | ||
| Age, median (min to max), mth | 55.5 (13–164) | 58 (24–175) |
| Gender | ||
| Male | 30 (57.7%) | 25 (50.0%) |
| Female | 22 (42.3%) | 25 (50.0%) |
| Family history | 19 (36.5%) | 14 (28.0%) |
| Toilet trained | 36 (69.2%) | 34 (68.0%) |
| Duration of constipation, median (min to max), mth | 25 (3–144) | 24 (1–144) |
| Clinical presentation | ||
| Decreased frequency of bowel habit | 42 (80.8%) | 39 (78.0%) |
| Bowels open per week, median (min to max) | 2 (1–14) | 2 (0–14) |
| Hard stools | 38 (73.1%) | 39 (72.0%) |
| Difficulty with defecation | 48 (92.3%) | 43 (86.0%) |
| Soiling | ||
| None | 22 (42.3%) | 26 (52.0%) |
| Mild (×2/week) | 6 (11.5%) | 6 (12.0%) |
| Moderate (×3/week) | 5 (9.6%) | 4 (8.0%) |
| Severe (×4/week) | 19 (36.5%) | 14 (28.0%) |
| Encopresis | 1 (1.9%) | 4 (8.0%) |
| Anal fissure | 3 (5.8%) | 6 (12.0%) |
| Enuresis | 7 (13.5%) | 5 (10.0%) |
| Recurrent urinary tract infection | 1 (1.9%) | 1 (2.0%) |
| Discomfort on defecation | ||
| None | 9 (17.3%) | 14 (28.0%) |
| Mild | 13 (25.0%) | 8 (16.0%) |
| Moderate | 15 (28.8%) | 18 (36.0%) |
| Severe | 15 (28.8%) | 10 (20.0%) |
| Withholding behaviour | 32 (61.5%) | 29 (58.0%) |
| Fibre intake recorded as “poor” | 36 (69.2%) | 41 (82.0%) |
| Abdominal x ray score (>9/15) | 33 out of 35 | 30 out of 31 |