Alteration of defecation function and psychological status in slow transit constipation patients after surgery

Objective To investigate anxiety and depression status in slow transit constipation (STC) patients and the alteration of psychological status after surgery, and to find the relationship between constipation and psychological status. Methods A total of 63 STC patients who received total abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (TAC-IRA) were selected. Defecation function, psychological status and quality of life of patients were collected by questionnaires before surgery and 6 months after surgery. Defecation function was evaluated by Wexner score; psychological status was evaluated by self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results There were 42.9% and 57.1% of STC patients in different degrees of anxiety and depression before surgery, and the proportions decreased to 21.6% (p = 0.048) and 54.1% (p = 0.341) after surgery, respectively. Through paired sample T test, Wexner score (p < 0.001) and SAS score (p = 0.0095) were significantly decreased, GIQLI score was significantly increased(p < 0.001). SAS score showed a positive correlation with Wexner score before and after surgery, SDS score showed a positive correlation with Wexner score before surgery, while GIQOL score and Wexner score showed a negative correlation before and after surgery, and all correlation above was statistically significant. Conclusion The severity of constipation is closely related to anxiety, depression. Patients' defecation function, quality of life, anxiety and depression were significantly improved after effective surgical treatment.