Epidemiology of Constipation

Chronic constipation is a highly prevalent condition affecting nearly 15% of the US population. The incidence of constipation in adults is approximately 17%. As a symptom rather than a specific disorder, constipation represents a number of different pathophysiologic processes. Primary causes include colonic inertia, normal transit constipation, outlet dysfunction, and IBS-C, while secondary causes include medications, obstruction, neurologic or metabolic disorders. The main risk factors for constipation include diet, female gender, age, socioeconomic status, and medications. This chapter will review the epidemiology of constipation in adults as well as risk factors, incidence, prevalence, and natural history.