Half of patients who use over-the-counter drugs for constipation say they do not use them as recommended, and many do not discuss their problem with their physician, a new survey finds.
Constipation is a perennial problem among older adults, with a reported prevalence of up to 70% in nursing-home residents. The condition can be exacerbated by an aging gut, as well as decreased mobility, certain medications, comorbidities and rectal sensory-motor dysfunction, studies have found.
Long-term use
In a 2021 survey of 6,780 adults diagnosed with or treated for constipation, 90% of patients who took OTC constipation drugs knew that they are not meant for long-term use. Yet half said they had taken an OTC medication for more than one year.
The study, from Phreesia Life Sciences, was conducted with an eye to improving awareness of prescription constipation medications. But its findings may shed some light on how patients and their doctors discuss the condition, and how patients are handling their care.
Persistent symptoms
Fully 31% of respondents said they have never discussed their constipation symptoms with a doctor. And 41% who did bring up their symptoms said the discussion was held in fewer than one in four appointments.
Meanwhile, 1 in 2 respondents said their symptoms are present all or almost all of the time, and 62% reported that the condition had a moderate or great impact on their daily life.
“They are trying on their own home remedies, lifestyle changes and OTC meds. They are not using the healthcare system,” Joyce Wang, associate director of research, told FiercePharma, regarding the results.
If symptoms remain persistent, this may be a signal that a patient needs more education about the using prescribed treatments and how best to monitor efficacy, Wang told the news outlet.
Related articles:
Why nutrition is key to fending off isolation in older adults
