AIM: To determine whether distinct symptom groupings exist in a @entity1142 population and whether such grouping might correlate with quantifiable pathophysiological measures of @entity1049 . METHODS: One hundred and ninety-one @entity1 presenting to a Gastroenterology clinic with @entity1142 and 32 @entity1142 @entity1 responding to a newspaper advertisement completed a 53-item, wide-ranging self-report questionnaire. One hundred of these @entity1 had colonic transit measured scintigraphically. Factor analysis determined whether @entity1142 -related symptoms grouped into distinct aspects of symptomatology. Cluster analysis was used to determine whether individual @entity1 naturally group into distinct subtypes. RESULTS: Cluster analysis yielded a 4 cluster solution with the presence or absence of @entity158 and laxative unresponsiveness providing the main descriptors. Amongst all clusters there was a considerable proportion of @entity1 with demonstrable delayed colon transit, @entity1744 positive criteria and regular stool frequency. The majority of @entity1 with these characteristics also reported regular laxative use. CONCLUSION: Factor analysis identified four @entity1142 subgroups, based on severity and laxative unresponsiveness, in a @entity1142 population. However, clear stratification into clinically identifiable groups remains imprecise.

Factor analysis identifies subgroups of XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity1142 :: ('MESH:D003248', 'Disease') :: ['constipated', 'constipation'] @entity1744 :: ('MESH:D043183', 'Disease') :: ['irritable bowel syndrome'] @entity1049 :: ('MESH:D003108', 'Disease') :: ['colonic dysfunction']
@entity1142 :: (MESH:D003248,Disease) :: ['constipation']
