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Original Research
Online Published: 19 Sep 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 927-931


Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan

Rizwan Ali Talpur, Aamir Gul Memon, Jawed Iqbal, Rab Nawaz, Santosh Kumar, Jamil Junejo.


Abstract
Objective: To examine the association between depression severity and functional constipation in middle-aged adults.
Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Sindh, Pakistan, from March to September 2024. A total of 377 adults aged 35–55 years were recruited using multistage stratified random sampling. Functional constipation was assessed using Rome IV criteria, and depression was measured with the Urdu version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary, and clinical data were collected. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association, adjusting for confounders.
Results: The prevalence of functional constipation was 75.1%, and of depression was 58.6%. In the fully adjusted model (Model 3), depression was independently associated with constipation in the total population (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.55–5.60). Sex-stratified analyses showed the association remained significant in women (AOR: 3.95; 95% CI: 1.85–8.40) but not in men (AOR: 1.70; 95% CI: 0.72–3.95).
Conclusion: Depression is independently associated with an increased likelihood of functional constipation, particularly among women. These findings highlight the need for an integrated mental health assessment in the management of constipation.

Key words: Gastrointestinal health, lifestyle factors, middle-aged adults, psychosomatic disorders.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Talpur RA, Memon AG, Iqbal J, Nawaz R, Kumar S, Junejo J. Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 927-931.

Web Style

Talpur RA, Memon AG, Iqbal J, Nawaz R, Kumar S, Junejo J. Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=166943 [Access: November 11, 2026].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Talpur RA, Memon AG, Iqbal J, Nawaz R, Kumar S, Junejo J. Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 927-931.


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Talpur RA, Memon AG, Iqbal J, Nawaz R, Kumar S, Junejo J. Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 927-931.


Harvard Style

Talpur, R. A., Memon, . A. G., Iqbal, . J., Nawaz, . R., Kumar, . S. & Junejo, . J. (2026) Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan. RMJ, 51 (4), 927-931.


Turabian Style

Talpur, Rizwan Ali, Aamir Gul Memon, Jawed Iqbal, Rab Nawaz, Santosh Kumar, and Jamil Junejo. 2026. Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 927-931.


Chicago Style

Talpur, Rizwan Ali, Aamir Gul Memon, Jawed Iqbal, Rab Nawaz, Santosh Kumar, and Jamil Junejo. "Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 927-931.


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Talpur, Rizwan Ali, Aamir Gul Memon, Jawed Iqbal, Rab Nawaz, Santosh Kumar, and Jamil Junejo. "Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 927-931. Print.


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Talpur, R. A., Memon, . A. G., Iqbal, . J., Nawaz, . R., Kumar, . S. & Junejo, . J. (2026) Association between depression severity and functional constipation among middle-aged adults in Sindh, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 927-931.



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