| |
Constipation
is a complaint of around 10% of the adult population in general,
but nearer 20% of the elderly (Thompson
and Heaton, 1980). It has also repeatedly been reported to
be more common in women (Everhart
et al., 1989). Idiopathic constipation can be a major health
problem to which much specialist gastroenterological time is devoted.
However, constipation can also be a source of distress in geriatric
medicine (Wolfsen
et al., 1993); and in palliative care—the author's own specialty—constipation
causes a level of distress rivaling that due to pain (Dunlop,
1989; Holmes,
1989).
|
Click
to see data on the impact of constipation.
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
Constipation
is a concern of patients and their health
care attendants well beyond the borders
of gastroenterology. This chapter is
intended particularly for those who
do not specialize in the management
of gut disorders. It focuses, not on
the characterization of constipation
as a disease entity, but rather on constipation's
impact on the patient and the alleviation
of that impact. The chapter addresses:
- Methodological
issues – Practical issues face
anyone wishing to conduct research
into constipation.
- Quantity
and quality of research – How
the limited amount of research,
which is at best of moderate quality,
impacts study strategies.
- Outstanding
research questions – Many research
questions remain inadequately addressed
or not tackled at all.
The
hope is that those who wish to rectify
this situation might find some assistance
from the contents of this chapter.
|