TABLE 1.
Baseline characteristics of the patients with chronic constipation.
| Variables | TEA (n = 22) | Sham-TEA (n = 22) | P value |
| Number | 22 | 22 | |
| Age (y) | 45.36 ± 3.22 | 52.59 ± 3.05 | 0.111 |
| Female (%) | 16 (72.7%) | 14 (63.6%) | 0.517 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 22.36 ± 0.50 | 23.34 ± 0.71 | 0.268 |
| Ex or current smoker | 3 (13.6%) | 3 (13.6%) | 1.000 |
| Alcohol abuse | 2 (9.1%) | 3 (13.6%) | 1.000 |
| Systolic pressure (mmHg) | 124.86 ± 2.76 | 130.23 ± 3.13 | 0.206 |
| Diastolic pressure (mmHg) | 77.36 ± 2.04 | 80.82 ± 2.33 | 0.271 |
| History of chronic constipation | |||
| Duration of constipation (y) | 12.52 ± 1.97 | 13.91 ± 2.06 | 0.629 |
| Weekly SBMs | 1.57 ± 0.17 | 1.48 ± 0.18 | 0.713 |
| Intestinal satisfaction | 15.45 ± 2.77 | 13.86 ± 3.42 | 0.719 |
| Comorbidities (%) | 4 (18.2%) | 4 (20%) | 1.000 |
| Diabetes | 4 (20%) | 4 (15%) | 1.000 |
| Thyroid disease | 0 (0%) | 1 (5%) | 1.000 |