Functional Constipation and Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the General Population: Data from the GECCO Study
Table 2
IBS and constipation symptoms according to the Rome Modular Questionnaire (RMQ) (validated German version). Absolute number of respondents is given. Please note that the sequence of questions was different than in the RMQ because all participants were asked for their constipation symptoms first (52–58, 59), followed by the abdominal pain/discomfort questions (41, 45, 43, 46–50, and 44). Data are unweighted.
RMQ item
Question
Number of respondents ()+
Frequency of symptoms
0
1
2
3
4
52
Less than 3 stools/week
312
128
72
28
20
53
Hard or lumpy stools
107
262
117
59
7
54
Straining for stools
92
226
132
66
31
55
Feeling of incomplete evacuation
143
222
143
34
12
56
Obstructed defecation
257
193
77
23
7
57
Digital manipulation needed
321
161
41
12
6
58
Problems to relax for evacuation
226
233
59
20
9
46
Pain improved w/defecation
73
95
100
126
96
47
Onset associated w/defecation
264
126
35
39
12
48
Less stools with pain/discomfort
231
148
44
28
13
49
Softer stool with pain/discomfort
202
149
47
56
16
50
Harder stools w/pain/discomfort
165
172
86
53
13
44
Pain/discomfort affecting daily life
251
195
70
17
8
59
Constipation starting > 6 months
No: 203
Yes: 339
Frequency#
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
41
Abdominal pain/discomfort
149
97
46
129
61
71
17
45
Pain/discomfort for > 6 months
No: 238
Yes: 301
43
Associated w/menstruation°
No: 211
Yes: 37
0: never or rarely; 1: sometimes; 2: often; 3: almost always; 4: always; #0: never; 1: <1 day/month; 2: 1 day/month; 3: 2-3 days/month; 4: 1 day/week; 5: >1 day/week; 6: every day; +remainder to 586 are missing/no response; °only women ().
