New Data Shed Light on The Global Incidence of Constipation

New Data Shed Light on The Global Incidence of Constipation

May 24, 2006

- Not For Distribution or Publication in The United States -

    INGELHEIM, Germany, May 24 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- New
omnibus data from the largest global survey due to be
published, conducted on the epidemiology of constipation,
were presented today at the Digestive Disease Week congress
in Los Angeles.  The survey, sponsored by Boehringer
Ingelheim, offers new insights into the incidence of
constipation and shows that sufferers are not using the
most effective treatments.

    The epidemiology survey, which explored duration and
frequency of constipation in 13,879 participants from four
continents, shows 12% of people worldwide suffer from
self-defined constipation.  This figure varies among
different regions; people in the Americas and Asia Pacific
suffer twice as much as their European counterparts, where
the incidence of constipation is lowest (Americas and Asia
Pacific mean 17.3% -v- European mean 8.75%).(1)

    The survey also highlights that a quarter of people
suffering from constipation do nothing to alleviate their
symptoms; they would rather wait in the hope that it may go
away of its own accord.  Professor Scarpignato, one of the
lead authors of the survey, commented, "Unfounded
concerns and misguided beliefs often prevent constipation
sufferers from using the best available treatments, such as
contact laxatives.  If they did use a contact laxative, like
Dulcolax(R), they would be selecting a safe and effective
treatment, to relieve their condition."

    Of those constipation sufferers who treat their
condition, less than a third of them actually use
laxatives, despite the fact that a recently published
review showed that laxatives are a safe and effective
treatment.(2)  In Asia Pacific, which has one of the
highest frequencies of constipation (17%), laxative use is
lowest, with less than two in 10 sufferers treating
symptoms effectively with a laxative.  Even in the
Americas, where laxative treatment is highest, still less
than four in 10 sufferers use laxative treatments to
alleviate their constipation.(1)

    Professor Wald, the lead author of the survey, stated,
"Sufferers continue to be highly influenced and
misguided by myths surrounding constipation and it is
critical to correct and overcome these mistaken beliefs. 
This survey reveals that on average, 40% of sufferers
attempt to treat their constipation by changing their
nutrition, despite extensive research showing that in fact
diet and lifestyle are not necessarily to blame for the
occurrence of constipation and increasing fluid and fibre
intake will not definitely provide effective relief from
the condition."

    Professor Wald continued, "The new evidence from
the survey has revealed that there is still a considerable
unmet need in the treatment of constipation.  It is our
responsibility to make people aware of, and to offer, the
best solutions for constipation, by publicising the facts
and correcting these misunderstandings."

    Dulcolax(R) (bisacodyl or sodium picosulphate), offers
one such highly effective and safe solution.  It is a
widely available contact laxative licensed for the
treatment of constipation and is commonly used by millions
of people worldwide.  The active ingredients in Dulcolax(R)
(bisacodyl or sodium picosulphate) act only where they are
needed, in the colon,(3-18) and stimulate the natural
movements of the bowels to alleviate the symptoms of
constipation.  Dulcolax(R) is clinically proven to be a
safe(16,17,19,20) and effective treatment for
constipation(20-23) even over the long-term.(24)

    The epidemiology survey has led to further
investigations, specifically of frequent constipation
sufferers (those who have suffered for at least two years
and at least once every two to three months), which aims to
provide a complete and full picture of this group.  Results
from this pioneering investigation are expected to be
presented at the 14th United European Gastroenterology Week
in Berlin, Germany from 21-25 October 2006.

    Notes to Editors:

    Digestive Disease Week (DDW)

    DDW is the largest international gathering of
physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of
gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and
gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American
Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American
Gastroenterological Association, the American Society for
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Society for Surgery of
the Alimentary Tract, DDW takes place May 20-25, 2006, at
the Los Angeles Convention Center. The meeting showcases
approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on
the latest advances in GI research, medicine and
technology.  For more information on DDW, visit
http://www.ddw.org .

    Boehringer Ingelheim

    The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20
leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in
Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 143
affiliates in 47 countries and almost 37,500 employees.
Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has
been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing
and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for
human and veterinary medicine.

    In 2005, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 9.5
billion euro while spending almost one fifth of net sales
in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on
research and development.

    The Consumer Health Care business is one of the core
businesses of the Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation and
strives to serve customers worldwide with top-quality
pharmaceuticals for self-medication and is widely known for
its products such as: Pharmaton(R), Dulcolax(R),
Bisolvon(R), Mucosolvan(R), Buscopan(R), Antistax(R) and
Mucoangin(R).

    Boehringer Ingelheim Consumer Healthcare is ranked the
8th largest supplier of self-medication products.  For more
information, visit http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com .

    For further information, please contact: 

     Ute E. Schmidt, 
     Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
     Tel: [phone]
     Fax: [phone] 

SOURCE  Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH