Functional Constipation and Its Musculoskeletal and Biochemical Correlates in Pakistani Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association of functional constipation with age, dietary and lifestyle habits, musculoskeletal symptoms, and serum biochemical parameters.
Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional comparative study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Community Medicine, District Headquarter Hospital, Abbottabad, and Jinnah International Hospital, Abbottabad, KPK, Pakistan, from December 2024 to June 2025.
Methods: A total of 250 individuals were recruited by using a consecutive sampling technique, and 220 participants who completed the study were included in the final analysis. Functional constipation was diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria. Data on demographics, dietary habits, lifestyle factors, and clinical symptoms were collected through structured face-to-face interviews. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium were measured using standard laboratory methods. Group comparisons between constipated and non-constipated individuals were performed using Chi-Square and independent t-tests. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of functional constipation.
Results: Functional constipation was significantly associated with older age, female gender, smoking, and caffeine use (P<0.05). Normal BMI, physical activity, and a high-fiber diet were protective. Participants with functional constipation had significantly higher VAS pain scores than non-constipated participants (6.7 ± 1.9 vs. 3.1 ± 1.5; P<0.001). Serum analysis demonstrated significantly lower levels of vitamin D, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium in constipated individuals (P<0.05). Logistic regression identified low fiber intake (AOR 2.95), smoking (AOR 2.61), age ≥60 years (AOR 1.84), and vitamin D deficiency (AOR 1.73) as significant predictors.
Conclusion: Functional constipation is associated with higher musculoskeletal pain scores and lower serum vitamin D, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Strong predictors of functional constipation are a low fiber diet, old age, smoking, and vitamin D deficiency.

How to cite this: Mir UZ, Ahmad T, Tahir A, Sajid MU, Mughal F, Yousaf F. Functional Constipation and Its Musculoskeletal and Biochemical Correlates in Pakistani Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Life and Science. 2026; 7(3): 318-324. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.1105