Table 3.
Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis of factors associated with a higher stool frequency or a looser stool form among subjects with chronic constipation
| Variables | Higher stool frequency | Looser stool form | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR (95% CI) | p value | OR (95% CI) | p value | ||
| Age | 1.02 (1.00–1.04) | 0.118 | 0.99 (0.97–1.00) | 0.123 | |
| Male sex (reference: female sex) | 1.97 (1.20–3.23) | 0.007 | 2.47 (1.50–4.06) | <0.001 | |
| BMI | 1.02 (0.95–1.08) | 0.638 | 1.05 (0.99–1.12) | 0.107 | |
| Alcohol intake (≥5 days a week) | 1.14 (0.64–2.01) | 0.661 | 1.22 (0.70–2.13) | 0.482 | |
| Smoking habit (current smoker) | 0.88 (0.52–1.49) | 0.621 | 2.36 (1.38–4.03) | 0.002 | |
| Exercise for ≥30 min at least twice a week for ≥1 year | 1.80 (1.05–3.07) | 0.033 | 1.83 (1.08–3.08) | 0.024 | |
| Walking (or an equal amount of exercise) for ≥1 h a day | 0.94 (0.64–1.39) | 0.753 | 0.83 (0.56–1.21) | 0.323 | |
| Walking faster than other people of the same age and sex | 1.20 (0.84–1.71) | 0.313 | 0.79 (0.56–1.12) | 0.19 | |
| Getting enough rest by sleeping | 0.99 (0.70–1.40) | 0.951 | 0.91 (0.64–1.29) | 0.595 | |
| Skipping breakfast ≥3 times a week | 0.92 (0.57–1.48) | 0.732 | 0.93 (0.58–1.48) | 0.757 | |
| Eating 2 h before going to bed ≥3 times a week | 1.02 (0.69–1.52) | 0.924 | 1.43 (0.96–2.14) | 0.081 | |
| Eating snacks and sweet drinks in addition to three meals in a day | 1.22 (0.67–2.22) | 0.516 | 0.74 (0.40–1.37) | 0.338 | |
| Eating faster than other people | 0.81 (0.57–1.16) | 0.249 | 1.00 (0.71–1.42) | 0.987 | |
| Weight gain of ≥10 kg from the age of 20 | 1.14 (0.71–1.85) | 0.586 | 0.72 (0.45–1.16) | 0.175 | |
| IBS | 2.46 (1.00–6.05) | 0.049 | 1.69 (0.74–3.89) | 0.214 | |
| H. pylori eradication history | 1.28 (0.76–2.15) | 0.359 | 1.45 (0.88–2.40) | 0.148 | |
| History of cardiovascular diseases | 1.40 (0.49–4.00) | 0.526 | 0.86 (0.33–2.30) | 0.769 | |
| History of cerebrovascular diseases | 1.32 (0.44–3.92) | 0.623 | 1.38 (0.48–3.92) | 0.551 | |
| Chronic kidney disease (Stage G3a–G5) | 0.70 (0.35–1.40) | 0.313 | 1.83 (0.94–3.56) | 0.076 | |
| Antihypertensive drugs | 1.28 (0.65–2.55) | 0.478 | 1.22 (0.62–2.41) | 0.571 | |
| Hypoglycemic drugs or insulin | 0.44 (0.17–1.20) | 0.109 | 0.68 (0.27–1.74) | 0.417 | |
| Antidyslipidemic drugs | 1.06 (0.54–2.07) | 0.87 | 0.81 (0.45–1.47) | 0.489 | |
| Levothyroxine sodium hydrate | 0.53 (0.13–2.23) | 0.387 | 0.91 (0.23–3.50) | 0.885 | |
| Antipsychotics or antidepressants | 1.46 (0.37–5.76) | 0.588 | 0.81 (0.20–3.24) | 0.768 | |
| Anxiolytics or sleeping pills | 0.72 (0.29–1.81) | 0.481 | 0.44 (0.16–1.18) | 0.103 | |
| Iron supplements | 0.25 (0.02–2.67) | 0.251 | 0.75 (0.11–5.23) | 0.775 | |
OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; BMI, body mass index; IBS, irritable bowel syndrome; H. pylori, Helicobacter pylori.