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2009•The Singapore Family PhysicianRequires access

Management of chronic constipation in the elderly

farhad fakrudin vasanwala

Open publisher page 4 citations

Abstract

SFP2009; 35(3): 84-92 INTRODUCTION This review focuses on the approach and treatment of chronic constipation in the elderly. A local study in 2000 found the prevalence of constipation to be 7.3%±3.5%1. Women had a higher prevalence of 11.3 ± 6.0% of chronic constipation as compared with men 3.6 ± 3.5%, p<0.05. In North America, constipation has an average prevalence of 12-19% in North America, increasing with increasing age, and female to male preponderance of 2.2:12. The reported prevalence in institutionalized elderly is up to 50%3, 4. Age-related problems e.g. decreased mobility, comorbid medical conditions, and the resultant increased use of medications explains the increase in prevalence of constipation in old age. A detailed medical history and physical examination is needed to exclude secondary causes of constipation.

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What this paper is about

SFP2009; 35(3): 84-92 INTRODUCTION This review focuses on the approach and treatment of chronic constipation in the elderly. A local study in 2000 found the prevalence of constipation to be 7.3%±3.5%1. Women had a higher prevalence of 11.3 ± 6.0% of chronic constipation as compared with men 3.6 ± 3.5%, p<0.05. In North America, constipation has an average prevalence of 12-19% in North America, increasing with increasing age, and female to male preponderance of 2.2:12. The reported prevalence in institutionalized elderly is up to 50%3, 4. Age-related problems e.g. decreased mobility, comorbid medical conditions, and the resultant increased use of medications explains the increase in prevalence of constipation in old age. A detailed medical history and physical examination is needed to exclude secondary causes of constipation.

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Available abstract

SFP2009; 35(3): 84-92 INTRODUCTION This review focuses on the approach and treatment of chronic constipation in the elderly. A local study in 2000 found the prevalence of constipation to be 7.3%±3.5%1. Women had a higher prevalence of 11.3 ± 6.0% of chronic constipation as compared with men 3.6 ± 3.5%, p<0.05. In North America, constipation has an average prevalence of 12-19% in North America, increasing with increasing age, and female to male preponderance of 2.2:12. The reported prevalence in institutionalized elderly is up to 50%3, 4. Age-related problems e.g. decreased mobility, comorbid medical conditions, and the resultant increased use of medications explains the increase in prevalence of constipation in old age. A detailed medical history and physical examination is needed to exclude secondary causes of constipation.

Key concepts: Constipation, Medicine, Chronic constipation, Medical history, Physical examination, Physical therapy, Internal medicine, Pediatrics

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