Manejo de la constipacin crnica del adulto: Actualizacin

Constipation affects 2% to 27% of individuals. It is associated toirritable bowel syndrome in 59% of cases, to a pelvic floor dysfunction in 29% and to a lowtransit time in 13%. During assessment of patients with constipation the effects of medicationsand chronic diseases must be discarded and the ideal is to determine which type of functionaldisorder it present. An algorithm for the management of chronic idiopathic constipation, thatincludes a recommendation to increase fiber and liquid intake as an initial approach and anorientation to the use of different laxatives, is presented. The usefulness of biofeedback inpatients with pelvic floor dysfunction and without organic cause of constipation, is alsodiscussed (Rev Med Chile 2008; 136: 507-16).(