Impact of chronic constipation symptoms on work productivity and daily activity: A large-scale internet survey

Chronic constipation negatively impacts work productivity and patients' quality of life. This retrospective study assessed the correlation between symptoms of chronic constipation and work/activity impairment with and without the use of laxative treatment.

This cross-sectional, observational, web-based survey was conducted using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Chronic Constipation Questionnaire and included Japanese patients with chronic constipation receiving prescribed medication. Outcomes of interest included total work productivity and activity impairment and their correlation with constipation symptoms.

Among the 2351 analyzed patients (mean [SD] age, 51.7 [13.8] years), 80.7% were females, 63.3% had a disease duration of ≥10 years, and 1424 were working. The averages of total activity impairment, total work productivity impairment, presenteeism, and absenteeism were 39.2%, 33.9%, 31.2%, and 5.0%, respectively. The annual work productivity loss per patient was estimated to be 1.343 million Japanese Yen. Symptoms that had a statistically significant positive correlation with total work impairment (P < 0.05) were abdominal discomfort/nausea, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and unpredictable defecation timing. Total activity impairment was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by abdominal discomfort/nausea, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, incomplete defecation, unpredictable defecation timing, loss of defecation desire, and straining. Work productivity and daily activity had improved in 71.2% and 72.6% of patients, respectively, after they received treatment.

Symptoms of constipation, particularly abdominal symptoms and unpredictable defecation timing, can have a negative impact on work productivity and daily activity. Treatment focused on these symptoms may reduce the socio-economic burden of chronic constipation in Japan.