Investigation of spinal posture and anthropometric characteristics of women with chronic constipation

The aim of this study was to compare the spinal posture and anthropometric characteristics of women with Chronic Constipation (CC) and healthy women. A total of 80 women, 40 with CC and 40 healthy women, were included in the study. After the participants' physical and sociodemographic characteristics were recorded, they were asked to fill out the Constipation Severity Scale and 7-Day Stool Diary to determine their constipation levels. The individuals' anthropometric characteristics were assessed with triceps, subscapula, suprailiac and calf skinfold thickness, humerus and femur epicondyle diameter, biceps and calf circumference measurements, spinal postures were assessed with the Spinal Mouse, and physical activity levels were assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form UFAA-KF and pedometer. In our study, the education level of women with CC was lower than healthy women (p=0.011). It was found that the height of women with CC was lower than that of healthy women (p=0.012) and their suprailiac skinfold thickness was greater (p=0.041). The thoracic angles of women with CC in the maximum trunk flexion posture were lower than those of healthy women (p=0.039). Physical activity levels of the groups were found to be similar for IPAQ-SF (p=0.184) and pedometer (p=0.440). As a result of this study, it was determined that the spinal posture and anthropometric characteristics of women with CC were different from healthy women. We think that these results may be important in determining a personalized treatment program for women with CC.