Epidemiology of Constipation

Brain E. Lacy, John M. Levenick

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic constipation is a highly prevalent condition affecting nearly 15% of the US population. The incidence of constipation in adults is approximately 17%. As a symptom rather than a specific disorder, constipation represents a number of different pathophysiologic processes. Primary causes include colonic inertia, normal transit constipation, outlet dysfunction, and IBS-C, while secondary causes include medications, obstruction, neurologic or metabolic disorders. The main risk factors for constipation include diet, female gender, age, socioeconomic status, and medications. This chapter will review the epidemiology of constipation in adults as well as risk factors, incidence, prevalence, and natural history. This edition first published 2014 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGI Epidemiology
Subtitle of host publicationDiseases and Clinical Methodology: Second Edition
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Pages235-248
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9781118727072
ISBN (Print)9780470672570
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 13 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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