Chronic constipation (CC) has a significant impact on patients quality of life and imposes an economic burden on individuals and the healthcare system.

A new study published in PharmacoEconomics comprehensively evaluated the cost effectiveness of treatments for CC.

This was a systematic review which searched ten common databases to identify economic evaluations published through June 2017. Data extracted included costs and outcomes of treatments for CC and cost-effectiveness methods.

The final dataset included 10 studies. The findings revealed that lifestyle advice, dietary treatments and abdominal massage were compared to current care with laxatives in the selected studies. Meanwhile, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and senna-fibre combination were compared to lactulose. In addition, two studies compared newer treatments - prucalopride was compared to continuing laxatives, and linaclotide was compared to lubiprostone. All these interventions were found to be cost effective, excepting abdominal massage.

The results of this survey indicated the PEG treatment is cost-effective in the management of patients with constipation.