The magnitude of chronic constipation and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract Background Constipation, which affects 16% of adults worldwide, is a chronic health problem characterized by unsatisfactory frequency of bowel movements, causing pain, bloating or incomplete bowel movements. The study aims to assess the magnitude of chronic constipation and associated factors among T 2 DM patients attending the endocrinology outpatient clinic at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital from January 1 to May 30, 2023. Methods Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was carried out to assess the magnitude and associated factors of chronic constipation among T 2 DM patients at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital. Using a single population formula 300 T 2 DM patients were enrolled in this study. The data was analyzed by using the Epi-Data 4.6 and SPSS version 25. Descriptive, bivariate, multivariate, and logistic regression were used. P < 0.05 was used to declare association. Results 300 T2DM patients participated in this survey. Of these 137 (45.7%) were male and 163 (54.3%) were female and the mean age was 58.57 ± 11.09 SD years, the range from 35 to 85 years. The prevalence of constipation was 73 (24.3%) (95% CI: 0.196–0.296). Education status above high school (AOR: 0.151.95% CI: 0.032–0.718), less than 7 h of sleep per day (AOR: 12.39.95% CI: 2.712–56.69), frequent depression (AOR: 6, 84, 95% CI: 2.639–17.743), parents with constipation (AOR: 6.843.95% CI: 2.639–17.743), daily water intake < 1300 ml (AOR: 4.760.95% CI: 1.146–19.773), TAG levels below 150 mg/dl (AOR: 0.050, 95% CI: 0.015–0.166), HbAlc between 6 and 7% (AOR: 0.013.95% CI: 0.001–0.132) ,HbAlc between 7.1 and 8% (AOR: 0.006, 95% CI: 0.001–0.067), and LDL levels were significantly associated with chronic constipation in T2DM patients. Conclusions The prevalence of chronic constipation was considerable in T2DM patients. Education level above high school, less than 7 h of sleep per day, frequent depression, parents with constipation, daily water intake < 1300 ml, TAG and HbAlc play a significant role in the development of chronic constipation in T2DM patients. T2DM patients can reduce the extent of constipation by treating the above problem in a timely and timely manner.