A Gap in Our Understanding: Chronic Constipation and Its Comorbid Conditions
published online 02 October 2008.
Constipation is one of the most common digestive disorders in the United States; however, the association of this condition with related comorbidities, both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal, is poorly documented. Here, we have reviewed the association of constipation with specific comorbidities. The data suggest that there are considerable clinical consequences associated with constipation. Ultimately, realization of the disease risks associated with chronic constipation may provide the impetus needed to direct new research, and shift attention on the part of patients and practitioners to methods for preventing significant and potentially costly comorbid medical problems.
⁎Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
‡Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. Medical & Scientific Affairs, Deerfield, Illinois
Address requests for reprints to: Nicholas J. Talley, MD, PhD, FACP, FRACP, FRCP, Chair, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Consultant, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32224. fax: (904) 953-7366
The authors disclose the following: C.L.B. and K.L.L. are employees of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc, Medical & Scientific Affairs. N.J.T. is a consultant to Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical R&D, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Theravance, Inc, Lexicon Genetics, Inc, Astellas Pharma US, Inc, Pharma Frontiers, Ltd, Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Astra Zeneca, Addex Pharma, Ferring Pharma, and Salix; and received research support from Novartis, Takeda, GlaxoSmithKline, Dynogen, and Tioga.
ABSTRACT