Definition, epidemiology and subtypes of chronic constipation

Chronic constipation is a common digestive disorder characterized by decreased frequency of bowel movements, increase stool consistency, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation. It has a high prevalence worldwide in the general population (14%); in Mexico, its prevalence can vary depending on the criteria used between 2.4% and 23%. If significantly affects the quality of life of those who suffer from it and has a considerable economic impact on the health care system. Functional constipation is defined based on the Rome IV criteria, wich include specific clinical characteristics that must be met to make a positive diagnosis of the disease without the need to use unnecessary diagnostic tests and that differentiate it from others disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome variety constipation. Functional constipation is subdivided based on colonic transit studies into normal transit constipation, slow transit constipation and constipation due to disorder of the defecation mechanism, which has implications for its subsequent treatment. Constipation secondary to opioid use constitutes a separate chapter that has been included in the Rome IV criteria, whose approach and treatment constitute a well-differentiated condition.