#ConstipationAwarenessMonth23 aims to make ‘uncomfortable topic a little more comfortable’
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Each December, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders celebrates Constipation Awareness Month, in the hopes of boosting public awareness about constipation and providing support to those who suffer from the condition.
Though constipation is a common condition that most people experience, it is often misunderstood. Constipation impacts nearly 20% of adults and 16% of children in the United States alone, yet many of those affected remain silent due to its pervasive social stigma, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders reported.
Image: Healio
“Most people have experienced the inconvenience of constipation at some point in their life; however, for a person who lives with chronic constipation, it can be extremely debilitating and life altering,” Ceciel T. Rooker, president of the IFFGD, said in a statement. “Medical professionals understand the different types of constipation and how to treat them, but there are still some uncertainties for people like me who suffer daily. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness and help make an uncomfortable topic a little more comfortable.”
The organization encourages people to spread awareness on social media on constipation’s physical impact, connection to mental health and stigma by using the hashtags: #ConstipationAwarenessMonth23 and #BreakTheBlock.
In recognition of Constipation Awareness Month, Healio recaps the latest news and research on treatments for constipation, including Linzess (linaclotide 72 mcg, AbbVie/Ironwood), Ibsrela (tenapanor, Ardelyx) and washed microbiota transplantation.
FDA approves Linzess as first treatment for pediatric functional constipation
The FDA has approved Linzess, the first therapy for pediatric functional constipation in patients aged 6 to 17 years, according to an agency release.
The supplemental new drug application for Linzess (linaclotide 72 µcg, AbbVie/Ironwood), which was previously approved for the treatment of adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation or chronic idiopathic constipation, was assigned an early Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of June 14, approximately 4 months earlier than would be assigned in the standard review cycle. Read more.
‘Do not give up too early’: Early nonresponders with IBS-C improve on Ibsrela at 12 weeks
Continued Ibsrela therapy for 12 weeks enabled early nonresponders with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation to achieve a meaningful response, noted a presenter at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting.
“This study was really driven by clinicians asking the simple question: How long should I have my patients try tenapanor before I decide it may not work?” Brian E. Lacy, MD, PhD, FACG, professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, told Healio. “We know from prior studies in patients with IBS and constipation — the T3MPO-1 and T3MPO-2 studies — that many patients with IBS and constipation noted an improvement in abdominal pain and constipation symptoms quite quickly, usually within the first 1-2 weeks. However, not all patients respond so quickly.” Read more.
Washed microbiota transplantation improves symptoms of functional constipation at 4 weeks
Washed microbiota transplantation improved straining, hard stools and reduced stool frequency among patients with refractory functional constipation, with greater efficacy reported with additional courses of treatment.
“Washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) is a microbiota transplantation method that is similar to traditional fecal microbiota transplantation but with a modification in that the washed microbiota prepared by an intelligent microorganism separation system, instead of the fecal microbiota, is used,” Liquan Wu, of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, and colleagues wrote in BMC Gastroenterology. “WMT has been proven to be superior to the fecal microbiota in the safety, quality control and efficacy in the treatment of bacterial flora disorders.” Read more.
ACG, AGA guideline first to recommend magnesium oxide, senna for chronic constipation
The ACG and AGA have released a joint clinical practice guideline with 10 evidence-based recommendations for the pharmacological management of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation, the first to include magnesium oxide and senna.
The expert panel made strong recommendations for the use of polyethylene glycol, sodium picosulfate, linaclotide, plecanatide and prucalopride, while conditional recommendations were made for fiber, lactulose, senna, magnesium oxide and lubiprostone. Read more.
Prevalence of IBS using Rome IV criteria higher than previously estimated, survey shows
A nationwide survey of nearly 89,000 individuals estimated the prevalence of Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome in the U.S. to be 6.1% compared with 4.7% to 5.3% in previous reports, according to a cross-sectional study in Gastroenterology.
“Prior studies in the U.S. that estimated the prevalence of IBS were based on samples sizes of around 2,000 people,” Christopher V. Almario, MD, MSHPM, assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told Healio. “We conducted a nationwide GI survey with nearly 89,000 people to update our understanding on how common IBS is in the U.S., as well as its associated burden of illness.” Read more.
References:
- About Constipation. https://aboutconstipation.org/ Accessed Dec. 7, 2023.
- Constipation Awareness Month 2023 Media Toolkit. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/h5yngt1wo7qpji6alnbkt/Constipation-Awareness-Month-2023-Media-Toolkit.pdf?rlkey=m9ymarxyr1zkd9yayeo4uh7rq&dl=0 Accessed December 11, 2023.