Table 2 Characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic constipation by treatment group at baseline
Characteristics | Flaxseed | Placebo | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean (SD) | Mean (SD) | ||
Number of patients | 26 | 27 | – |
Age (years) | 55.7 (11.6) | 55.9 (8.7) | 0.955 |
Years since diabetes diagnosis | 8.7 (3.9) | 8.3 (5.3) | 0.803 |
No. (%) | |||
Constipation symptoms | |||
Straining | 17 (65.4) | 9 (33.3) | 0.032 |
Hard stool | 22 (84.6) | 14 (51.9) | 0.049 |
Pain with bowel movement | 13 (50.0) | 2 (7.4) | 0.004 |
Feeling of incomplete evacuation | 15 (57.7) | 7 (25.9) | 0.059 |
Digital maneuver | 4 (15.4) | 1 (3.7) | 0.427 |
Fleeing of blockage | 10 (38.5) | 6 (22.2) | 0.285 |
< 3 bowel movements/week | 18 (69.2) | 10 (37.0) | 0.070 |
Therapeutic regimen | |||
Insulin | 11 (42.3) | 11 (40.7) | 0.908 |
Metformin | 21 (80.8) | 20 (74.1) | 0.560 |
Glibenclamide | 3 (11.5) | 8 (29.6) | 0.104 |
Losartan | 12 (46.2) | 8 (29.6) | 0.215 |
Metoral | 2 (7.7) | 1 (3.9) | 0.530 |
Aspirin | 11 (42.3) | 8 (29.6) | 0.336 |
Statin | 12 (46.2) | 15 (55.6) | 0.494 |
BMI (kg/m2) | |||
Normal (BMI < 25) | 4 (15.4) | 8 (29.6) | 0.396 |
Overweight (BMI 25–29.9) | 12 (46.2) | 12 (44.4) | – |
Obese (BMI ≥ 30) | 10 (38.5) | 7 (25.9) | – |
Gender | |||
Male | 4 (15.4) | 5 (18.5) | 0.525 |
Female | 22 (84.6) | 22 (81.5) | – |