Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Functional Constipation and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults

Turkey (Türkiye)208 participantsStarted 2026-05-15

Plain-language summary

This retrospective cross-sectional observational study aims to examine the relationship between Rome IV functional constipation and fall history, functional capacity, and physical activity in older adults. The study will use routinely recorded clinical data from older adults aged 65 to 80 years who attended the Izmir Bakircay University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center between April 2024 and April 2026. No new intervention, treatment, exercise program, drug, or device will be applied as part of this study. Functional constipation will be evaluated using bowel habit data recorded in patient files and classified according to the Rome IV criteria. Fall history within the last 12 months will be obtained from routine clinical records. Functional capacity will be assessed using recorded results from the 6-Minute Walk Test and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test. Physical activity level will be evaluated using available International Physical Activity Questionnaire data. The study will include data from 208 eligible older adults. The main purpose is to determine whether older adults with Rome IV functional constipation differ from those without functional constipation in terms of fall history, walking capacity, lower extremity functional performance, and physical activity level. The findings may help clarify whether functional constipation in older adults is associated not only with bowel habits but also with broader geriatric and rehabilitation-related outcomes.

Who can participate

Age range

65 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Being between 65 and 80 years of age Having routinely recorded bowel habit data sufficient to evaluate Rome IV functional constipation criteria Having routinely recorded data on fall history, functional capacity, and physical activity in patient records Exclusion Criteria: Having missing data at a level that prevents analysis of the main study variables Having an active cancer diagnosis or attending the center for reasons related to cancer treatment Having undergone major surgery within the last 12 months Having received regular physiotherapy or rehabilitation services for any reason within the last 12 months

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Presence of Functional Constipation According to the Rome IV Criteria

Timeframe: At routine clinical assessment between April 2024 and April 2026

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07630740

SponsorIzmir Bakircay University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-09-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Functional Constipation (FC) trials