New omnibus data from the largest global survey due to be published, conducted on the epidemiology of constipation, were presented today at the Digestive Disease Week congress in Los Angeles. The survey, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, offers new insights into the incidence of constipation and shows that sufferers are not using the most effective treatments.

The epidemiology survey, which explored duration and frequency of constipation in 13,879 participants from four continents, shows 12% of people worldwide suffer from self-defined constipation. This figure varies among different regions; people in the Americas and Asia Pacific suffer twice as much as their European counterparts, where the incidence of constipation is lowest (Americas and Asia Pacific mean 17.3% -v- European mean 8.75%).1

The survey also highlights that a quarter of people suffering from constipation do nothing to alleviate their symptoms; they would rather wait in the hope that it may go away of its own accord. Professor Scarpignato, one of the lead authors of the survey, commented, "Unfounded concerns and misguided beliefs often prevent constipation sufferers from using the best available treatments, such as contact laxatives. If they did use a contact laxative, like Dulcolax, they would be selecting a safe and effective treatment, to relieve their condition."

Professor Wald, the lead author of the survey, stated, "Sufferers continue to be highly influenced and misguided by myths surrounding constipation and it is critical to correct and overcome these mistaken beliefs. This survey reveals that on average, 40% of sufferers attempt to treat their constipation by changing their nutrition, despite extensive research showing that in fact diet and lifestyle are not necessarily to blame for the occurrence of constipation and increasing fluid and fibre intake will not definitely provide effective relief from the condition."

Professor Wald continued, "The new evidence from the survey has revealed that there is still a considerable unmet need in the treatment of constipation. It is our responsibility to make people aware of, and to offer, the best solutions for constipation, by publicising the facts and correcting these misunderstandings."

Dulcolax (bisacodyl or sodium picosulphate), offers one such highly effective and safe solution. It is a widely available contact laxative licensed for the treatment of constipation and is commonly used by millions of people worldwide.