Constipation severity is associated with productivity losses and healthcare utilization in patients with chronic constipation

Objective We sought to evaluate the association between constipation severity, productivity losses and healthcare utilization in a national sample of Italian patients with chronic non‐organic constipation (CC) Methods We enrolled 878 outpatients with CC. Clinical and demographic data were collected by physicians during clinical examinations. Patients completed a self‐administered questionnaire (Patient Assessment of Constipation‐Symptoms, PAC‐SYM; Work Productivity and Activity Impairment; healthcare utilization, and Symptoms Checklist 90 Revised – Somatization Scale, SCL‐90 R). Results Mean PAC‐SYM score was 1.62 ± 0.69. Mean weekly sick time due to constipation was 2.7 ± 8.6 h and productivity losses due to presenteeism was 19.7% ± 22.3%. Adjusted productivity losses in patients with severe CC (PAC‐SYM score 2.3–4.0) compared to patients with mild symptoms (PAC‐SYM score 0.0–1.0) was Italian Purchase Power Parity US$ 6160. Constipation severity (PAC‐SYM quintiles) was associated with higher healthcare utilization (RR PAC‐SYM 4/0 1.84; p ‐value for linear trend <0.01). After adjustment for somatization scores, the association of constipation severity with productivity losses and healthcare utilization rates was attenuated yet statistically significant. Conclusions We observed a graded increase in productivity losses and healthcare utilization with increasing constipation severity. Further studies should evaluate whether significant savings might be achieved with regimens aimed at reducing the constipation severity.