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Healthcare seeking for constipation: a population‐based survey in the Mediterranean area of Spain
Author(s) -
GÁLVEZ C.,
GARRIGUES V.,
ORTIZ V.,
PONCE M.,
NOS P.,
PONCE J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02981.x
Subject(s) - constipation , medicine , laxative , defecation , chronic constipation , health care , population , cross sectional study , abdominal pain , family medicine , physical therapy , environmental health , pathology , economics , economic growth
Summary Background The use of healthcare resources for the management of constipation is not well‐known. Aim To analyse healthcare seeking for constipation, defined by three different criteria, and its related factors and to assess the frequency of use of laxatives, suppositories and enemas for the treatment of constipation. Methods A cross‐sectional study in the general community. A questionnaire comprising 21‐items was developed and delivered by mail to a random sample of 506 subjects aged 18–65 years, and belonging to a Spanish population. Results Seeking of health care was high in the sample (16%) and was similar for all definitions of constipation (over 40% of constipated subjects). It was associated with female gender, a higher educational level and two symptoms, such as prolonged defecation and abdominal pain. A 14% of the sample used laxatives, and about a 25% of constipated subjects used laxatives at least once a week. Utilization was more frequent in women, with no differences by age group. Conclusions Chronic constipation is a problem that causes an important consumption of resources in our setting, derived from laxative use and the seeking of medical help to combat the problem. The use of these resources is higher in women.