National consensus on the management of constipation in indonesia 2010

Constipation is a common complaint in our daily practice, which may occur in young adult or elderly patients. Recently, the incidence has been increasing; however, most patients try to have self-medication using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, which is usually inappropriate. Moreover, there has been unequal distribution of knowledge and vigilance of medical practitioners, both general physician and specialist doctors on the constipation issue. Therefore, patients usually present with greater complications. The Organizing Committee of Indonesian Society of Gastroenterology or Pengurus Besar Perkumpulan Gastroenterologi Indonesia (PB PGI) considers that it is important to compose a National Consensus on the Management of Constipation in Indonesia. The Consensus is expected to be a guideline for doctors to deal with patients who have constipation in their daily practice, so that optimal results could be achieved. Nowadays, there are new data on definition, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of constipation; thus, the Organizing Committee of ISG feels that it is necessary to revise the established consensus. We expect that the consensus may bring advantages for medical practitioners in Indonesia and in general, it may cause community health improvement.