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Table 5 Observed prevalence (in per cent) of constipation and diarrhoea in users and non-users of drugs, calculated prevalence if treatment is stopped or started, and changes of prevalence (average risk difference) with 95% CI when stopping and starting treatment (multivariable analyses, 4586 and 4268 cases available for the analyses of constipation and diarrhoea respectively)

From: Constipation and diarrhoea - common adverse drug reactions? A cross sectional study in the general population

Abdominal complaint

Predictor

Observed prevalence in nonusers

Calculated prevalence if starting treatment

Increased prevalence

(95% CI)

Observed prevalence in users

Calculated prevalence if stopping treatment

Reduced prevalence

(95% CI)

Constipation

Use of drugs

10.2

12.7

2.5

15.9

12.8

3.0

    

(0.6 to 4.4)

  

(0.7 to 5.3)

 

Furosemide

13.5

24.3

10.7

28.6

16.5

12.1

    

(0.0 to 21.5)

  

(0.6 to 23.6)

 

Levothyroxine sodium

13.3

18.7

5.4

26.8

19.5

7.3

    

(-0.2 to 11.1)

  

(0.0 to 14.6)

 

Ibuprofen

13.1

18.4

5.3

19.8

14.0

5.8

    

(1.6 to 9.1)

  

(1.7 to 9.8)

Diarrhoea

Use of drugs

7.1

9.5

2.3

10.2

7.7

2.5

    

(0.6 to 4.1)

  

(0.7 to 4.3)

 

Lithium

8.9

36.2

27.2

36.4

8.9

27.5

    

(-0.7 to 55.1)

  

(-0.6 to 55.5)

 

Carbamazepine

8.9

27.7

18.8

28.6

9.4

19.2

    

(-0.1 to 37.7)

  

(0.3 to 38.1)