Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39100812›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

The Diagnostic Yield of Laboratory Tests in Chronic Constipation in Adults.

Ali A Ramadhan, Aveen Mustafa, Ramadhan Issa, Hassan Bapeer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Ali A RamadhanDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Duhok, Duhok, IRQ.
Aveen MustafaCollege of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, IRQ.
Ramadhan IssaCollege of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, IRQ.
Hassan BapeerCollege of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, IRQ.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal complaint characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Laboratory markers offer potential diagnostic value in identifying physiological changes associated with chronic constipation, yet their effectiveness remains underexplored.

objectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of various laboratory tests in identifying the underlying causes of chronic constipation among adults. PATIENTS AND

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at Kurdistan Private Hospital and Jeen Clinics in Duhok, Kurdistan, Iraq, from December 2022 to May 2024. A total of 132 patients meeting the Rome IV criteria for chronic constipation were included. Data collection involved demographic information, lifestyle factors, and laboratory tests, including complete blood count (CBC), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), serum calcium, serum potassium, serum glucose, serum creatinine, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and vitamin D levels.

resultsThe study population consisted of 56 males (42.4%) and 76 females (57.6%) with a mean age of 46.5 years (SD=17 years) and a range of 18-81 years. Regular exercise was performed by only 56 (42.4%) patients, 85 (64.4%) patients were drinking less than 2 liters of water per day, and 108 (81.8%) were overweight or obese. Of the study population, hypothyroidism was detected in 27 (20.4%), hyperparathyroidism in 27 (20.4%), anemia in 58 (44%), leukocytosis in 24 (18.2%), renal impairment in 48 (36.4%), hypokalemia in four (3%), hyperkalemia in 12 (9.1%), hypocalcemia in 10 (7.6%), hypercalcemia in 12 (9.1%), impaired fasting glucose in 46 (34.8%), hyperglycemia in 21 (15.9%), and vitamin D deficiency in 80 (60.6%). Of the study population, 40 (30%) patients had normal laboratory investigations panel.

conclusionIn chronic constipation, laboratory tests have high diagnostic yield in adults and are essential for ruling out secondary causes of chronic constipation. Unhealthy lifestyles are prevalent in patients with chronic constipation.

Indexed as

adultschronic constipationdiagnostic yieldduhoklaboratory tests

Identifiers

PMID39100812
PMCPMC11298118

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.