Functional Constipation and Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults

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.