Year 2016 / Volume 108 / Number 6
Original
Management of the clinical issue of constipation with abdominal complaints in adults. A national survey of Primary Care physicians and gastroenterologists

323-331

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4352/2016

Enrique Rey Díaz-Rubio, Juan José Mascort Roca, Enrique Peña Forcada, Pedro Cañones Garzón, Jose María Tenias Burillo, Francisco Javier Júdez Gutiérrez,

Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome and functional constipation represent a relevant and common health issue. However, real-world clinical practice includes patients with constipation who may or may not have other abdominal complaints (pain, bloating, abdominal discomfort) with variable frequency. The goal of the present study was to obtain information on the workload entailed by patients with constipation and associated abdominal complaints, predominant clinical behaviors, education needs, and potential daily practice aids both in Primary Care and gastroenterology settings. The clinical behavior of doctors is generally similar at both levels, despite differences in healthcare approach: use of empiric therapies and clinically guided diagnostic tests, with some differences in colonoscopy use (not always directly accessible from Primary Care). Regarding perceptions, general support and osmotic laxatives are most valued by PC doctors, whereas osmotic laxatives, combined laxatives, and linaclotide are most valued by GE specialists. Furthermore, over half of respondents considered differentiating both diagnoses as challenging. Finally, considerable education needs are self-acknowledged at both levels, as is a demand for guidelines and protocols to help in managing this issue in clinical practice. A strength of this study is its providing a joint photograph of the medical approach and the perceptions of constipation with abdominal discomfort from a medical standpoint. Weaknesses include self-declaration (no formal validation) and a response rate potentially biased by professional motivation.
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Rey Díaz-Rubio E, Mascort Roca J, Peña Forcada E, Cañones Garzón P, Tenias Burillo J, Júdez Gutiérrez F, et all. Management of the clinical issue of constipation with abdominal complaints in adults. A national survey of Primary Care physicians and gastroenterologists. 4352/2016


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Publication history

Received: 01/04/2016

Accepted: 06/04/2016

Online First: 11/05/2016

Published: 03/06/2016

Article Online First time: 40 days

Article editing time: 63 days


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