Survey of laxative use by adults with self‐defined constipation in South America and Asia: a comparison of six countries

Abstract

In contrast to the US and Europe, prevalence and laxative use for self-defined constipation among adults was previously reported to be unassociated with age among adults in South Korea and Brazil. To determine whether observations in South Korea and Brazil are reflective of other Asian and South American countries. A total of 8100 adults from Argentina, Colombia, Indonesia and China completed a questionnaire identical to that previously used in South Korea and Brazil. Prevalence of constipation was similar to that reported for Brazil and South Korea and was 2.17-fold (95% CI: 1.71-2.64) higher amongst women than amongst men. Prevalence increased with age amongst all adults in Argentina and China and only among men in Colombia and Brazil. With the exception of Indonesia, the majority of those with constipation had symptoms at least once weekly, and for < or =3 years. Less than one-third of adults reported using laxatives to treat constipation. Laxative use was not associated with gender and increased with age in Argentina and Colombia. No clear geographical or cultural tendencies were observed in the prevalence of constipation and laxative use among the South American and Asian countries studied in this survey.