title: Chronic severe constipation: current pathophysiological aspects, new diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic options.
abstract: Chronic constipation is a considerable problem because it significantly affects the quality of a patient's life. Constipation can be diagnosed at every age and is more frequent in women and among the elderly. In epidemiological studies, its incidence is estimated at 2-27% in the general population. Chronic constipation may be primary or secondary. However, primary constipation (functional or idiopathic) can be classified into normal transit constipation, slow transit constipation, and pelvic outlet obstruction. In this review we make an attempt to present the current pathophysiological aspects and new therapeutic options for chronic idiopathic constipation, particularly highlighting the value of patient assessment for accurate diagnosis of the cause of the problem, thus helping in the choice of appropriate treatment.
authors: aThird Department of General Surgery, Athens General Hospital 'Evagelismos-Athens Eye Hospital-Polykliniki' bSecond Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens cSecond Department of General Surgery, Piraeus General Hospital 'Agios Pandeleimon', Piraeus, Greece.
authors: Nikolaos P
authors: NP
authors: Andromanakos
authors: Stamatis I
authors: SI
authors: Pinis
authors: Alkiviadis I
authors: AI
authors: Kostakis
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D059952:Pelvic Floor Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000150:complications