title: Levels of satisfaction with current chronic constipation treatment options in Europe - an internet survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data on treatment satisfaction in European men and women with chronic constipation are limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess satisfaction with current treatment among European men and women with chronic constipation.
  
  
  METHODS
  An internet-based survey was conducted in 2009 in 10 European countries: Austria, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. Participants had self-reported chronic constipation (<3 bowel movements/week and ≥1 symptoms for ≥6 months of: pain during defecation; lumpy/hard faeces; and feeling of incomplete evacuation). Demographic data and disease history were collected. For participants using laxatives, drug name/class, satisfaction with treatment and interest in other treatments were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1941 participants screened, 1355 had chronic constipation and met the inclusion criteria (chronic constipation population). The majority of the chronic constipation population who disclosed their sex (n = 811) were women (82%). Sixty-eight per cent of respondents (n = 855/1255) reported using laxatives, with the proportion of laxative users differing between subsets. Twenty-eight per cent (n = 225/793) were (very) satisfied with their treatment, whereas 44% (n = 345/793) were neutral and 28% (n = 223/793) (very) dissatisfied. There was no relationship between type of laxative and degree of (dis)satisfaction. Interest in other treatments was high with 83% (n = 686/827) of respondents 'absolutely' or 'probably' interested. Respondents dissatisfied with their treatment were more likely to be interested in other treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laxative-use is common for chronic constipation. In this large survey, 28% of participants were dissatisfied with their treatment, with the majority interested in other treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Park-Klinik Weissensee, Berlin, Germany. mueli@park-klinik.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller-Lissner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schenck
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Specht Gryp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives