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>Background The epidemiology and impact of functional constipation on Asians remain unclear. >Aim To determine the prevalence of functional constipation, its social/medical impact, and its distinction from constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) in Taiwan. >Methods A Rome II questionnaire was administered to an apparently healthy adult Chinese population ( n = 2865). >Results The prevalence of functional constipation was 8.5% and it was 2.7% for C-IBS. The functional constipation subjects were predominantly female and had excessive gastrointestinal-related doctor visits, absenteeism and sleep disturbance compared with controls ( P < 0.01). Among functional constipation subjects, approximately 40% were ‘consulters’ with excessive doctor consultations, absenteeism and sleep disturbance. Female gender, the presence of sleep difficulty and higher constipation symptom scores were predictive of their consultation behaviour ( P < 0.05). No differences existed in demographic variables, doctor consultations and absenteeism between 172 functional constipation and 54 C-IBS subjects. However, the C-IBS subjects experienced more severe constipation symptoms and sleep disturbance than functional constipation subjects. >Conclusions Functional constipation in Taiwan is comparable with that in other countries. The clinical presentation of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome differ somewhat from that of functional constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Little is known about the gender effect on irritable bowel syndrome in Asia. : To assess the gender difference in Chinese subjects with irritable bowel syndrome meeting Rome II criteria. : Irritable bowel syndrome was identified from an apparently healthy adult population receiving a routine health maintenance program ( n = 2018). : Female gender is not a factor associated with irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome-related health care-seeking behaviour. Female irritable bowel syndrome subjects, irrespective of consulting behaviour for irritable bowel syndrome, are likely to have<3 bowel movements/week, hard/lumpy stools and abdominal fullness/bloating ( P < 0.05). Female irritable bowel syndrome subjects are prone to be absent from school/work with more days of absenteeism, irrespective of consultation status ( P < 0.05). Only female irritable bowel syndrome consulters have more absenteeism for their irritable bowel syndrome-related symptoms, reporting more sleep disturbances than their male counterparts ( P < 0.001). : In an apparent healthy adult population in Taiwan, gender difference is present in Rome II defined Chinese subjects with irritable bowel syndrome as regards bowel symptoms, social impact and sleep quality. Female predominance was not found in irritable bowel syndrome subjects and irritable bowel syndrome-related health care-seeking behaviour in the current population. Both irritable bowel syndrome non-consulters and consulters have similar gender difference profiles in presenting symptoms, suggesting that bowel symptoms per se may not be the only factor leading to health care-seeking behaviour. The gender differences in sleep problems were observed solely in irritable bowel syndrome consulter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition seen in Western countries. In Asia, however, it is less known and even less studied. : To determine the prevalence and social impact of irritable bowel syndrome as well as the health-seeking behaviour of irritable bowel syndrome patients in Taiwan : Using the modified Rome II questionnaire, a survey was carried out in a population receiving physical check-up ( n = 2865). : The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in Taiwan was 22.1% and 17.5% (κ = 0.73) according to the Rome II and I criteria, respectively. No gender difference was found between subjects with and without irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome subjects were likely to undertake an excessive number of physician-visits ( P < 0.01). Such subjects were often absent from work/school, with more days of absenteeism than irritable bowel syndrome-free subjects ( P < 0.01). They also suffered obvious sleep disturbance ( P < 0.01). Nearly half of the irritable bowel syndrome subjects were ‘consulters’, and they were more likely to have frequent physician-visits, suffer from work/school absenteeism, and endure sleep disturbance and bowel symptoms than irritable bowel syndrome nonconsulters ( P < 0.05). : Irritable bowel syndrome is common in a Chinese population of Taiwan. Similar to irritable bowel syndrome in the West, it also involves significant social and medical burdens. However, in the irritable bowel syndrome subjects of Taiwan there is no gender difference, and more irritable bowel syndrome subjects will seek physician consultations, which may be due to Taiwan's easily accessible and affordable heath care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]