目的　探讨老年人便秘的易患因素。方法　采取随机整群抽取法 ,共调查 1 4 34例。便秘的定义严格控制在 :老年人常出现大便干结 ,排便困难 ,每周大便不足 3次者 ,除外明确疾病及药物所致便秘。结果　老年人便秘的总患病率为 2 0 3% ,城市 1 8 2 % ,农村 2 3 0 % ,城乡患病率差异有显著性 (P<0 0 5)。结论　老年人便秘患病率农村明显高于城市 ,易患因素与年龄 ,性别及日常生活不能自理或部分自理者相关。 Objective To explore the predisposing factors of constipation in the elderly. Methods Random cluster sampling method was used to investigate 1434 cases. The definition of constipation is strictly controlled: elderly people often have dry stools, difficulty defecation, and less than 3 stools per week, except for clear diseases and constipation caused by drugs. Results The total prevalence of constipation in the elderly was 203%, 182% in urban areas, and 23.0% in rural areas. The prevalence rates in urban and rural areas were significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of constipation in the elderly in rural areas is significantly higher than that in urban areas. The predisposing factors are related to age, gender, and people who are unable to take care of themselves or have self-care in daily life.