The patient burden of opioid-induced constipation: New insights from a large, multinational survey in five European countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite its high prevalence, opioid-induced constipation (OIC) remains under-recognised and undertreated, and its true impact on wellbeing and quality of life (QoL) may be underestimated.

Methods

A quantitative, questionnaire-based international survey was conducted.

Results

Weak-opioid users appeared as bothered by constipation as strong-opioid users (38% vs 40%, respectively; p = 0.40), despite it causing less-severe physical symptoms and impact on QoL. Strong-opioid users meeting Rome IV OIC criteria appeared to experience greater symptomatic and biopsychosocial burden from constipation than those not satisfying these criteria. Almost one-fifth of respondents were dissatisfied with their current constipation treatment and around one-third found ba

SUBMITTER: Andresen V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6169046 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature