title: Laxative utilization over time in chronic pain patients with opioid-induced constipation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine laxative utilization over time among chronic noncancer pain patients with opioid-induced constipation (OIC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective longitudinal study conducted in the USA, Canada, Germany and UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients on daily opioid therapy for treatment of chronic noncancer pain with OIC were recruited from clinics to complete a survey at Baseline and weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24.
  
  
  RESULTS
  489 patients completed baseline with 452 completing one or more follow-up visits. 128 (28%) were nonlaxative users, 112 (25%) were insufficient laxative users and 212 (47%) were sufficient laxative users. The consistent sufficient laxative users reported the most bowel movements per week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of OIC patients do not take or only intermittently take laxatives.
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Datto
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: LoCasale
authors.affiliation: Evidera, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.affiliation: Evidera, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Christine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Evidera, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Karin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Coyne
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D054368:Laxatives
keywords: constipation; laxatives; opioid; pain; symptoms