Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association and Asia-Pacific Association of Gastroenterology Chronic Constipation Consensus 2026

@article{patcharatrakul2026asian,
  title = {{Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association and Asia-Pacific Association of Gastroenterology Chronic Constipation Consensus 2026}},
  author = {Tanisa Patcharatrakul and Kewin T. H. Siah and Ari Fahrial Syam and Atsushi Nakajima and Hidekazu Suzuki and Yeong Yeh Lee and Mariko Hojo and Pakkapon Rattanachaisit and Panyavee Pitisuttithum and Sabrina Quek and Tao Bai and Yi Ping Ren and Akihito Nagahara and Andrew Ming-Liang Ong and Chien-Lin Chen and Ching-Liang Lu and Duc Trong Quach and Govind K. Makharia and Justin C. Y. Wu and Kee Wook Jung and Kee Huat Chuah and Linda Zhong and M. Masudur Rahman and Tae Hee Lee and Uday C. Ghoshal and Xiaohua Hou and Xiucai Fang and Ying-Lian Xiao and Sutep Gonlachanvit},
  journal = {Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.5056/jnm26076},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm26076},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association and Asia-Pacific Association of Gastroenterology Chronic Constipation Consensus 2026
AU  - Tanisa Patcharatrakul
AU  - Kewin T. H. Siah
AU  - Ari Fahrial Syam
AU  - Atsushi Nakajima
AU  - Hidekazu Suzuki
AU  - Yeong Yeh Lee
AU  - Mariko Hojo
AU  - Pakkapon Rattanachaisit
AU  - Panyavee Pitisuttithum
AU  - Sabrina Quek
AU  - Tao Bai
AU  - Yi Ping Ren
AU  - Akihito Nagahara
AU  - Andrew Ming-Liang Ong
AU  - Chien-Lin Chen
AU  - Ching-Liang Lu
AU  - Duc Trong Quach
AU  - Govind K. Makharia
AU  - Justin C. Y. Wu
AU  - Kee Wook Jung
AU  - Kee Huat Chuah
AU  - Linda Zhong
AU  - M. Masudur Rahman
AU  - Tae Hee Lee
AU  - Uday C. Ghoshal
AU  - Xiaohua Hou
AU  - Xiucai Fang
AU  - Ying-Lian Xiao
AU  - Sutep Gonlachanvit
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/31
JO  - Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
DO  - 10.5056/jnm26076
UR  - https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm26076
AB  - Background/Aims: Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder in Asia, characterized by heterogeneous symptom presentation, frequent overlap with other GI symptoms, and limited access to specialized diagnostic tests in many settings. These factors contribute to under-recognition and suboptimal management. The Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (ANMA) and the Asia-Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) developed a regional consensus to provide practical, evidence-based guidance tailored to the Asian context.  Methods: A multidisciplinary task force comprising 24 voting members and 5 non-voting facilitators from across Asia was convened. Experts were divided into four working groups addressing clinical evaluation, non-pharmacological management, pharmacological management, and specialized investigations and treatments. Targeted literature reviews were performed, and statements were developed using a structured Delphi process with iterative anonymous voting. The certainty of the evidence and the strength of the recommendations were graded using the GRADE framework.  Results: Thirty-nine consensus statements were developed, covering clinical assessment and stepwise management. Recommendations emphasize comprehensive symptom assessment, early evaluation of disease severity and psychosocial impact, and prioritizing constipation treatment in patients with overlapping GI symptoms and those with pelvic floor damage. Initial management includes lifestyle modification and conventional laxatives, with treatment response assessed within 4 weeks. For inadequate response, treatment optimization, combination or switching of laxatives, and newer agents are recommended. The algorithm also highlights appropriate use of anorectal physiologic testing and biofeedback therapy for functional defecatory disorders. Surgical interventions are reserved for highly selected patients after comprehensive evaluation.  Conclusions: This ANMA/APAGE consensus provides a practical, algorithm-based framework to improve management of chronic constipation across diverse Asian healthcare settings.
SN  - 2093-0879
SN  - 2093-0887
ER  -