Opioid-induced constipation, use of laxatives, and health-related quality of life

Conclusions The results suggest a high degree of moderate to very severe abdominal symptoms, a high degree of self-management of opioid-induced constipation, a low degree of satisfaction with laxative, and low health-related quality of life of patients suffering from chronic pain necessitating long-term opioid treatment, subsequent constipation and laxatives use. Implications Patients suffering from OIC with low quality of life and remaining symptoms despite use of two or more laxatives are a vulnerable patient group in need of optimized healthcare management, who also might benefit from more specific and innovative therapy.
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research