Chronic constipation and its associated factors in patients with type-2 diabetes: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Introduction Diabetes is one of the global public health concern and constipation is frequently seen among gastrointestinal symptoms in diabetes. Despite the fact that constipation is common, doctors and/or patients disregard it. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of constipation in patients with diabetes. Methods Multi-center cross-sectional study was carried out and the data was analyzed using STATA 14. Binary and multilevel logistic regressions were also carried out to identify associated to factors. Factors having a p-value of less than 0.05 were deemed statistically significant in the final model. Results 206 diabetics participated in the survey. The mean age of the participants was 52.7 years (SD±11.9). The prevalence of constipation was 16% (95% CI: 10.97-21.07). Age (AOR=13.56; 95% CI: 1.71, 107.21), females (AOR=4.58; 95% CI: 1.76, 11.87), the duration of the diabetes (AOR=3.16; 95% CI: 1.21, 8.24), and psychological distress (AOR=12.49, 95% CI: 1.53, 101.8) were significant factors. Conclusion The magnitude of constipation was considerable, and it was linked to psychological distress, longer-lasting diabetes, being a woman, and ageing. Patients with type-2 diabetes need to receive careful treatment in order to reduce the severity of the condition and its additional complications.