Constipation - Epidemiology

Epidemiology

Constipation is the most common digestive complaint in the United States as per survey data. Depending on the definition employed, it occurs in 2% to 20% of the population. It is more common in women, the elderly and children. The reasons it occurs more frequently in the elderly is felt to be due to an increasing number of health problems as humans age and decreased physical activity.

• 12% of the population worldwide reports having constipation.
• Chronic constipation accounts for 3% of all visits annually to pediatric outpatient clinics.
• Constipation-related healthcare costs total $6.9 billion in the US annually.
• More than four million Americans have frequent constipation, accounting for 2.5 million physician visits a year.
• Around $725 million is spent on laxative products each year in America.