TY - JOUR
T1 - A clinical approach to constipation
AU - Faigel, Douglas O.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - The economic impact of constipation is large. The condition prompts an estimated 2.5 million physician visits per year, with 100,000 referrals to gastroenterologists. Almost all (85%) of these physician visits result in a prescription for a laxative. Each year, Americans spend ∼$800 million on laxatives. For patients referred for diagnostic evaluation, the average cost is ∼$3000, mostly due to the cost of colonoscopy. This article discusses the pathophysiology of constipation and presents a practical approach to evaluating and treating this disorder.
AB - The economic impact of constipation is large. The condition prompts an estimated 2.5 million physician visits per year, with 100,000 referrals to gastroenterologists. Almost all (85%) of these physician visits result in a prescription for a laxative. Each year, Americans spend ∼$800 million on laxatives. For patients referred for diagnostic evaluation, the average cost is ∼$3000, mostly due to the cost of colonoscopy. This article discusses the pathophysiology of constipation and presents a practical approach to evaluating and treating this disorder.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036124402&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1016/S1098-3597(02)90002-5
DO - 10.1016/S1098-3597(02)90002-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 12739323
AN - SCOPUS:0036124402
SN - 1098-3597
VL - 4
SP - 11
EP - 18
JO - Clinical cornerstone
JF - Clinical cornerstone
IS - 4
ER -