title: A multinational survey of prevalence and patterns of laxative use among adults with self-defined constipation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While numerous studies report prevalence of constipation, use of laxatives is poorly understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a survey in seven countries evaluating prevalence of constipation and laxative use in its treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen thousand eight hundred seventy-nine adults [approximately 2000 each from US, UK, Germany (GE), France (FR), Italy (IT), Brazil (BR) and South Korea (SK)] completed questionnaires assessing occurrence, frequency, duration and laxative use for treating constipation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 12.3% of adults had constipation [range: 5% (GE) to 18% (US)] in the prior year. A greater percent of women from all countries and elderly from all except SK and BR reported constipation; odds ratios for constipation among women and elderly were 2.43 (95% CI: 2.18-2.71) and 1.5 (95% CI: 1.25-1.73) vs. men and young subjects. Among those with constipation, 16% (SK) to 40% (US) used laxatives. Laxative use was generally associated with increasing age, symptom frequency and lower income and education. A similar percentage of men and women with constipation reported using laxatives; a greater percentage of women used laxatives for a longer time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of self-defined constipation and laxative use varies among countries. Prevalence is generally related to gender and age, whereas laxative use is related to age, but not to gender.
authors.affiliation: Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scarpignato
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mueller-Lissner
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kamm
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hinkel
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Helfrich
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schuijt
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Mandel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012646:Self Administration; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives