BACKGROUND: There has been limited research addressing the effects of constipation on work productivity and healthcare resource use. AIMS: To assess the effect of chronic constipation on health outcomes and healthcare resource use. METHODS: Using data from the 2007 National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), chronic constipation patients (n = 1,430) were propensity score-matched to controls (n = 1,430) on demographic and clinical characteristics. Differences between groups in health-related quality of life (SF-12v2), work productivity and activity impairment, and resource use in the last 6 months were examined. Mediation analyses were conducted in order to determine whether the relationship between constipation and resource use was caused by a reduction in health status. RESULTS: Chronic constipation patients reported significantly lower levels of health-related quality of life (physical component summary score: 39.57 vs. 43.73; mental component summary score: 43.19 vs. 47.86, all P-values < 0.01) and significantly higher levels of loss of work productivity and activity impairment (absenteeism: 9.08% vs. 5.20%; presenteeism: 29.52% vs. 19.09%; overall work impairment: 33.65% vs. 21.56%; activity impairment: 46.58% vs. 33.90%, all P-values < 0.01) compared to the matched controls. Chronic constipation patients also reported significantly more provider (7.73 vs. 5.63) and emergency room visits (0.52 vs. 0.30) in the past 6 months (all P-values < 0.01). Mediation analyses suggested that increased resource use among chronic constipation patients were partially a result of reduced health status. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to matched controls, chronic constipation patients reported greater economic and humanistic burden. Alleviating the humanistic burden associated with constipation may have economic benefits.
BACKGROUND: There has been limited research addressing the effects of constipation on work productivity and healthcare resource use. AIMS: To assess the effect of chronic constipation on health outcomes and healthcare resource use. METHODS: Using data from the 2007 National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), chronic constipationpatients (n = 1,430) were propensity score-matched to controls (n = 1,430) on demographic and clinical characteristics. Differences between groups in health-related quality of life (SF-12v2), work productivity and activity impairment, and resource use in the last 6 months were examined. Mediation analyses were conducted in order to determine whether the relationship between constipation and resource use was caused by a reduction in health status. RESULTS:Chronic constipationpatients reported significantly lower levels of health-related quality of life (physical component summary score: 39.57 vs. 43.73; mental component summary score: 43.19 vs. 47.86, all P-values < 0.01) and significantly higher levels of loss of work productivity and activity impairment (absenteeism: 9.08% vs. 5.20%; presenteeism: 29.52% vs. 19.09%; overall work impairment: 33.65% vs. 21.56%; activity impairment: 46.58% vs. 33.90%, all P-values < 0.01) compared to the matched controls. Chronic constipationpatients also reported significantly more provider (7.73 vs. 5.63) and emergency room visits (0.52 vs. 0.30) in the past 6 months (all P-values < 0.01). Mediation analyses suggested that increased resource use among chronic constipationpatients were partially a result of reduced health status. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to matched controls, chronic constipationpatients reported greater economic and humanistic burden. Alleviating the humanistic burden associated with constipation may have economic benefits.
Authors: Pamela Cofré L; Fernando Germain P; Luis Medina L; Hernán Orellana G; Juan Suárez M; Teresa Vergara A Journal: Rev Med Chil Date: 2008-06-16 Impact factor: 0.553