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Laxative utilization over time in chronic pain patients with opioid-induced constipation
Catherine J Datto1, Robert J LoCasale2, Mary Kay Margolis3
1AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE, USA.
Aim:
To determine laxative utilization over time among chronic noncancer pain patients with opioid-induced constipation (OIC).
Setting:
A prospective longitudinal study conducted in the USA, Canada, Germany and UK.
Methods:
Patients on daily opioid therapy for treatment of chronic noncancer pain with OIC were recruited from clinics to complete a survey at Baseline and weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24.
Results:
489 patients completed baseline with 452 completing one or more follow-up visits. 128 (28%) were nonlaxative users, 112 (25%) were insufficient laxative users and 212 (47%) were sufficient laxative users. The consistent sufficient laxative users reported the most bowel movements per week.
Conclusion:
The majority of OIC patients do not take or only intermittently take laxatives.
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