The following is a summary of “Prevalence and Burden of Illness of Rome IV Chronic Idiopathic Constipation, Opioid-Induced Constipation, and Opioid-Exacerbated Constipation in the United States,” published in the November 2023 issue of Gastroenterology by Liang, et al.

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and opioid-induced constipation (OIC) are conditions that impact individuals’ quality of life. For a study, researchers sought to evaluate the prevalence, symptom severity, and medication utilization among individuals with Rome IV CIC, OIC, and opioid-exacerbated constipation (OEC) using a comprehensive dataset encompassing nearly 89,000 participants in the United States.

Conducted from May 3, 2020, to June 24, 2020, the study recruited a representative sample of individuals aged ≥ 18 years in the United States for an online national health survey. Participants underwent Rome IV CIC and OIC questionnaires, Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System gastrointestinal scales (percentile 0–100; higher scores indicating more severe symptoms), and medication-related inquiries. Identification of OEC involved querying participants with OIC about constipation experiences before and after initiating opioid therapy.

Among the 88,607 participants, 6.0% had Rome IV CIC, with 1.7% and 0.4% having Rome IV OIC and OEC, respectively. In comparison to CIC individuals (Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System score, 53.9 ± 26.5; reference), those with OIC (62.7 ± 28.0; adjusted P < 0.001) and OEC (61.1 ± 25.8; adjusted P = 0.048) exhibited more severe constipation symptoms. Individuals with OIC (odds ratio 2.72, 95% CI 2.04–3.62) and OEC (odds ratio 3.52, 95% CI 2.22–5.59) were more likely to be using prescription medication for constipation compared to those with CIC.

The nationwide US survey revealed a 6.0% prevalence of Rome IV CIC, with a lower prevalence observed for Rome IV OIC (1.7%) and OEC (0.4%). Those with OIC and OEC experienced a heightened burden of illness in terms of symptom severity and increased use of prescription constipation medications.

Source: journals.lww.com/ajg/abstract/2023/11000/prevalence_and_burden_of_illness_of_rome_iv.25.aspx