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Chronic constipation and IBS-C are multisymptom gastrointestinal motility disorders that negatively impact the lives of those affected. These functional bowel disorders are a problem for millions of Americans and tend to have a higher prevalence in women. The incidence of constipation increases with age, while the prevalence of IBS-C declines after the age of 60.
Patient-physician communication is critical in successful management of chronic constipation and IBS-C, yet there often is a disconnect between what the patient perceives as being constipation and what health care providers assume meets the definition of constipation. The patient’s perception is largely symptom- based, with complaints of things like straining, hard stools, and incomplete evacuation, whereas clinicians generally rely on a frequency-based definition (ie, bowel movements no more than every 3-4 days). This is important in order to make the initial diagnosis of chronic constipation.
Because of the overlap in symptoms reported by patients with chronic constipation and IBS-C, health care providers often find it challenging to differentiate between the disorders. While there are similarities between chronic constipation and IBS-C, the differentiating feature is abdominal pain. Accurate diagnosis lays the foundation for determining initial therapy and developing an appropriate treatment plan.
With the recent changes in the availability of treatment options for chronic constipation and IBS-C, there is a strong need for education in this area.
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant will be able to:
- Identify the signs and symptoms that differentiate chronic constipation from IBS-C and review the causes of these conditions in different patient populations.
- Review the alarm signs and symptoms which will affect the management of chronic constipation and IBS-C and identify the therapies that can be used to treat these disorders.
Primary Care Network designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Target Audience:
This activity is targeted to all physicians and other healthcare professionals who treat patients with chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.
Release date: March 1, 2008
Expiration date: February 28, 2009
Medium: Podcast
Acknowledgement of Commercial Support:
This activity is supported through an educational grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sponsored by The Customer Link
Method of Participation:
IIn order to receive CME credit for this activity, you need to review program. Upon finishing the online CME, complete the post-test, evaluation, and fill out all required personal information. To receive your CME certificate you will need to pass the post-test with 70% accuracy or better.
Post-test and Evaluation:
After completing this activity, click on the Post-test button at the end of the program. If you receive less than 70% on the post-test, you will be returned to the beginning of the activity to review the presentation again. Upon successful completion of the post-test, you will be asked to fill out a program evaluation form and prompted to print your CME certificate.
PCN Disclosure Policy:
It is the policy of Primary Care Network, Inc. to ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of its CME activities. All Primary Care Network staff, faculty, or any other individual who is in a position to control the content of the CME activities sponsored by PCN are required to disclose to the participants any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the activity. Primary Care Network’s resolution of conflict of interest policy aims to ensure that all financial relationships with any commercial interests do not bias the design and delivery of this continuing medical education activity.
Content Providers & Disclosures
Suzanne Rose, MD, MSEd
Professor of Medical Education and Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology
Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
New York, NY
Disclosures: Dr. Rose serves as a speaker for TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. She is a consultant, speaker, and advisory board member for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Faculty & Disclosures
Louis Kuritzky, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dept. of Community Health & Family Medicine
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Disclosures: Dr. Kuritzky serves as a speaker for AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Forest Labs, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Ortho-McNeil, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Sanofi-Aventis US, LLC., Schering Plough Corporation, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Lawrence R. Schiller, MD, FACP, FACG
Program Director, Gastroenterology Fellowship
Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas, TX
Disclosures: Dr. Schiller serves as a speaker and advisory board member for Abbott Labs, AstraZeneca, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., Santarus Inc., Proctor & Gamble, and Prometheus Pharmaceuticals. He also serves as an advisory board member for Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and a consultant for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Unlabeled Use Declaration:
During this activity, speakers may discuss an unlabeled use or an investigational use not approved for a commercial support. Each author is required to disclose this information to the participants when referring to an unlabeled or investigational use.
PCN Staff Disclosures:
The Employees of Primary Care Network have no financial relationships to disclose.
When finished, click here to take the Post-test
Take the post-test to receive your CME certificate
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