title: Prevalence and ramifications of chronic constipation.
abstract: Constipation is a common condition, affecting 2% to 27% of North Americans. Arriving at true prevalence rates is complicated, because consensus definitions are lacking. Constipation has daily implications for those affected, and, although only one-third of affected persons seek care, it is associated with high socioeconomic costs. Traditional interventions, such as fiber and laxatives, are often recommended, but high-quality evidence of their efficacy is lacking and patient dissatisfaction is common. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of constipation has resulted in the development and approval of a new agent for the treatment of patients with chronic idiopathic constipation.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA.
authors.forename: Lucinda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology