A survey, published in Advances in Therapy, collected data on the needs of chronic idiopathic constipation patients, in an attempt to gauge what patients and providers thought about the disease.
Researchers surveyed 1,223 CIC patients and 331 providers who treat CIC patients.
Here's what they found out:
1. Approximately 58 percent of patients had used over-the-counter treatments for CIC, with 51 percent currently using them. Only 16 percent of patients used prescription therapy.
2. Fifty-nine percent of patients were not satisfied with their current treatment.
3. Concerning quality of life, 42 percent of patients were frustrated with their CIC and 40 percent accepted CIC was part of their daily life.
4. Healthcare providers agreed patients were frustrated (72 percent), stressed (50 percent) or fed up (43 percent) with treatment options.
5. Providers said their greatest challenge concerning CIC treatments were:
- Inadequate response rates to current therapies (55 percent)
- Treatment adherence (55 percent)
- Management of treatment-related diarrhea (34 percent)
- Lack of treatment options (34 percent)
Researchers concluded, "BURDEN-CIC identified that many patients and HCPs are frustrated and not satisfied with current CIC treatments due to lack of efficacy and side effects, such as diarrhea." They acknowledged that patient-provider communication was lacking concerning treatment expectations and side effects.