Constipation and Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Authors

  • Thanathip Suenghataiphorn Department of Internal Medicine, Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT, USA
  • Nutchapon Xanthavanij Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
  • Panat Yanpiset Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
  • Thitiphan Srikulmontri Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Ben Thiravetyan Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
  • Narisara Tribuddharat St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Brighton, MA
  • Vitchapong Prasitsumrit Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Pojsakorn Danpanichkul Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
  • Tulaton Sodsri 7Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Narathorn Kulthamrongsri University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
  • Phuuwadith Wattanachayakul Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15403/jgld-5852

Keywords:

constipation, acute myocardial infarction, systematic review, meta-analysis

Abstract

Background and Aims: Constipation is commonly seen among patients with cardiovascular diseases and is linked to adverse outcomes. However, the association between constipation and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains conflicting. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the available data on this topic.

Method: We identified potentially eligible studies from the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, searching from inception to May 2024, to investigate the association between constipation and the risk of developing AMI. To be included, studies needed to compare incidence of AMI between cohorts with and without constipation. Effect size and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined using the generic inverse variance method. All statistical analyses were performed by Review Manager 5.4.

Results: Our meta-analysis included seven studies that met the eligibility criteria. There were 5,351,976 participants, with a mean age of 57.8 years and 74% were males. We found that patients with constipation had a 14% increased risk of AMI with a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 1.14 (95%CI: 1.08-1.14; I²=85%; p<0.001) compared to those without constipation.

Conclusions: Our study revealed that constipation is associated with a higher risk of AMI. Emphasizing and addressing gastrointestinal health, including constipation, as an important issue is essential for comprehensive cardiovascular care.

Downloads

Published

2025-03-28

How to Cite

1.
Suenghataiphorn T, Xanthavanij N, Yanpiset P, Srikulmontri T, Thiravetyan B, Tribuddharat N, Prasitsumrit V, Danpanichkul P, Sodsri T, Kulthamrongsri N, Wattanachayakul P. Constipation and Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies. JGLD [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 28 [cited 2026 Jul. 21];34(1):108-14. Available from: https://www.jgld.ro/jgld/index.php/jgld/article/view/5852

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 1: March 2025

Section

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis