TABLE 3.

Main characteristics of the constipated group and the control group

	FC + IBS‐C (n = 237)	Control (n = 1098)	P value
Less than 3 defecations per week	49 (21%)	3 (1%)	0.001
Use of laxatives	63 (27%)	20 (6.5%)	0.001
Time at defecation >5 min	132 (56%, 4%)	96 (31.9%)	0.001
Hard stools	212 (91%)	107 (38.9%)	0.001
Straining	187 (82.4%)	3 (1.3%)	0.001
Sensation of incomplete evacuation	178 (77.7%)	38 (15.8%)	0.001
Manual manoeuvres to evacuate	48 (28.1%)	2 (1%)	0.001
Abdominal pain related to defecation	114 (56.7%)	29 (13.1%)	0.001
Abdominal pain related to change in frequency of stools	107 (51%)	29 (12.7%)	0.001
Abdominal pain related to change in form of stools	133 (63.9%)	50 (21.9%)	0.001