Traveler’s Constipation: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: Traveler’s constipation, which is characterized by the occurrence of harder and less frequent stools during travel, might affect the travel experience of individuals worldwide. The aim was to investigate changes in bowel habits and gastrointestinal symptoms following a medium-haul flight and short-term stay abroad. Methods: Data in this prospective cohort study were collected from participants before, during and after a week-long stay abroad, involving a medium-haul flight, in May 2023. The primary outcome measured changes in time between bowel movements in hours, while secondary outcomes included alterations in gastrointestinal symptoms through the Visual Analog Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (VAS-IBS). Results: Thirty participants were analyzed. For the primary outcome, participants travelling abroad experienced a median delay of 6 hours in their first bowel movement compared with their habitual frequency. In the constipated group (defined as the slowest quartile), participants waited a median of 47 hours to have their first bowel movement, whereas the rest of the group waited a median of 24 hours. Although no significant change in symptoms was observed between the two groups, some patients in both groups scored badly on the VAS-IBS with regards to gastrointestinal bloating, pain and discomfort. Conclusion: There was a delay in the onset of habitual bowel movements across the entire cohort following travel abroad, with a notable delay in the slowest quarter of participants. Additionally, some participants reported severe gastrointestinal bloating, pain and discomfort, which may significantly impact the overall travel experience.