Critical New Report Uncovers the True Burden of Constipation in the Over 65s Across Europe

LONDON, September 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

A new report The Burden of Constipation in our Ageing Population - Working Towards Better Solutions uncovers for the first time, the true scale of the problem of chronic constipation in adults over the age of 65. A group of experts has analysed all publicly available European evidence and the alarming results show how this condition is under-estimated, under-treated and overlooked.

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The report reveals how chronic constipation, be it functional or secondary to identifiable causes, affects as much as 80 per cent of the older adult population living in care homes and one in five adults aged over 65 years in the community.^[1]-[3]If left untreated, it can result in serious medical consequences, such as faecal impaction, a condition where retention of solid faeces prevents normal evacuation. Faecal impaction can affect up to 50 per cent of older adults in hospital wards or care homes and can lead to faecal incontinence.^[4]-[6]

David Sinclair, Assistant Director, Policy & Communications, ILC-UK comments: "Despite estimated figures of 80 per cent of care home residents suffering from constipation, this is a problem in older adults that is clearly not being taken seriously enough. We hope this report will provide a lever to improve earlier recognition of constipation and, importantly, to encourage all those involved in the care of older adults to take the positive and immediate steps outlined in this report that will lead to improved care."

Professor Enrico Corazziari, Professor of Gastroenterology, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy comments on the report: "Constipation can be a source of real mental and physical distress for older adults. The lack of evidence-based guidance on the management of constipation in older adults across Europe means that management is sub-optimal; patients are suffering unnecessary ill-health and failing to receive appropriate or timely treatment. We hope that the calls to action outlined in this new report generate urgent impetus for a wholesale review of how we manage this common and preventable condition."

Peter Martin, Chief Operating Officer at Norgine comments: "As a company with long standing expertise in gastroenterology, we are committed to improving the quality of life of patients who suffer from constipation. By funding this report, in collaboration with the ILC-UK, we want to work with healthcare systems across Europe to find cost effective solutions to improve outcomes for patients."

Full Release on http://www.norgine.com

Full report on http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications

Norgine, Isabelle Jouin, mob: + 44-(0)771-406-1327; [email protected].

Packer Forbes Communications, Gayle Sawyer or Steph Wood, tel: +44-(0)20-7036-8550; [email protected] or [email protected].  

ILC-UK, Jessica Watson, tel: +44-(0)207-340-0440; [email protected].

SOURCE Norgine ltd