Reply

We appreciate the comments by Kao and colleagues on our article entitled “Chronic constipation as a risk factor for colorectal cancer: results from a nationwide, case-control study.”1 Kao and colleagues noted that sibling control subjects may be at future risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and that follow-up time on siblings was not reported. However, the median “foll ow-up time” (time between constipation and CRC) for index individuals and their sibling control subjects was similar (5.4 [3.6–7.4] years for CRC vs 5.6 [3.9–7.6] years for sibling control subjects), as was median time between constipation and CRC for index individuals and their general popula tion control subjects (4.9 [3.3–7.0) years for CRC vs 4.8 [3.3–6.9] years for general population control subjects).
Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research