Gut Liver.
2024 Mar;18(2):275-282. 10.5009/gnl230062.
Perceptions of and Practices for the Management of Constipation: Results of a Korean National Survey
- Cho YS
1 - Park SY2
- Shin JE3
- Park KS4
- Kim JW5
- Lee TH6
- Kim SE7
- Lee YJ4
- Ryu HS8
- Constipation Research Group of the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
- 6Institute for Digestive Research, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- 7Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 8Department of Internal Medicine, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea
- KMID: 2553836
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl230062
Abstract
- Background/Aims
Although guidelines exist regarding the evaluation and management of patients with chronic constipation (CC), little is known about real-world clinical practice patterns. This study aimed to evaluate the various practices used to manage CC patients in various clinical settings in South Korea.
Methods
A nationwide web-based survey was conducted, randomly selecting gastroenterologists and non-gastroenterologists. The 25-item questionnaire included physicians’ perceptions and practices regarding the available options for diagnosing and managing CC patients in Korea.
Results
The study participants comprised 193 physicians (86 gastroenterologists, 44.6%) involved in the clinical management of CC patients. The mean clinical experience was 12 years. Only 21 of 193 respondents (10.9%) used the Rome criteria when diagnosing CC. The Bristol Stool Form Scale was used by 29% of the respondents (56/193), while the digital rectal examination was performed by 11.9% of the respondents (23/193). Laboratory testing and colonoscopies were performed more frequently by gastroenterologists than by non-gastroenterologists (both p=0.001). Physiologic testing was used more frequently by gastroenterologists (p=0.046), phy-sicians at teaching hospitals, and physicians with clinical experience ≤10 years (both p<0.05). There were also significant differences in the preference for laxatives depending on the type of hospital.
Conclusions
There were discrepancies in the diagnosis and management of CC patients depending on the clinical setting. The utilization rates of the Bristol Stool Form Scale and digital rectal examination by physicians are low in real-world clinical practice. These results imply the need for better and more practical training of physicians in the assessment and management of CC.
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