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Constipation emergencies are on the rise. Although
constipation is typically managed in an outpatient
setting, there is an increasing trend in the
frequency of constipation-related hospital visits.
The aim of a new study was to analyze trends related
to chronic constipation (CC) in the United States
with respect to emergency department (ED) visits,
patient and hospital characteristics, and associated
costs.
Data from 2006 to 2011, in which constipation (The
International Classification of Diseases, 9th
Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis
codes 564.00–564.09) was the primary discharge
diagnosis, were obtained from the National Emergency
Department Sample (NEDS).
Between 2006 and 2011, the frequency of
constipation-related ED visits increased by 41.5%,
from 497,034 visits to 703,391 visits, whereas the
mean cost per patient rose by 56.4%, from $1,474 in
2006 to $2,306 in 2011. The aggregate national cost
of constipation-related ED visits increased by
121.4%, from $732,886,977 in 2006 to $1,622,624,341
in 2011. All cost data were adjusted for inflation
and reported in 2014 dollars. Infants (<1 year old)
had the highest rate of constipation-related ED
visits in both 2006 and 2011. The late elders (85+
years) had the second highest constipation-related
ED visit rate in 2006; however, the 1- to
17-year-old age group experienced a 50.7% increase
in constipation-related ED visit rate from 2006 to
2011 and had the second highest constipation-related
ED visit rate in 2011.
For more information
AJG - The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Emergency Department Burden of Constipation in the
United States from 2006 to 2011
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