Impact of constipation on patients with schizophrenia and depression: an internet-based survey (CONSIDER survey).
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan.
- 2Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
- 3Medical Department, EA Pharma Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
- 4Pharmaceutical Development Department, EA Pharma Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
- 5Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract
Background
Constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder, impairs quality of life (QOL) and work productivity. This study evaluated constipation severity in individuals with schizophrenia, depression, and the general population and examined its impact on QOL and work productivity, as well as patient education and preferences regarding constipation management.Methods
A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted. Assessments included the Constipation Scoring System (CSS), Short Form-8, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, and questions regarding prior explanations of constipation risk and changes in bowel habits. CSS scores were stratified as ≤5 and ≥6.Results
In total, 800 participants completed the survey (schizophrenia, n=200; depression, n=200; general population, n=400). CSS scores were higher in the schizophrenia and depression groups than in the general population. Multivariable regression analysis showed that schizophrenia and depression were associated with constipation severity. In the schizophrenia and depression groups, current symptom status and anxiolytic use remained independently associated with CSS scores. Across all groups, participants with CSS scores ≥6 had lower Mental Component Summary scores and higher levels of presenteeism, overall work productivity loss, and activity impairment than those with CSS scores ≤5. Approximately 30% of all participants in each of the schizophrenia and depression groups reported receiving prior explanations regarding psychotropic-related constipation risk, while 40% reported bowel-habit changes after psychotropic drug initiation.Conclusions
Constipation severity was higher in participants with schizophrenia and depression than in the general population; greater severity was associated with lower QOL and greater work productivity impairment. Routine screening, education on constipation, and patient-centered constipation management may be useful clinical approaches for addressing constipation and its associated burden in these populations.Trial registration
This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000058981).
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BibTeX
@article{hori2026impact,
title = {{Impact of constipation on patients with schizophrenia and depression: an internet-based survey (CONSIDER survey).}},
author = {Hikaru Hori and Hiroyoshi Takeuchi and Shinji Yoneda and Tadashi Shin and Yusuke Shimada and Minami Umeyama and Masato Ueno and Yoshiteru Takekita},
journal = {Frontiers in psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1904119},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899150},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impact of constipation on patients with schizophrenia and depression: an internet-based survey (CONSIDER survey).
AU - Hikaru Hori
AU - Hiroyoshi Takeuchi
AU - Shinji Yoneda
AU - Tadashi Shin
AU - Yusuke Shimada
AU - Minami Umeyama
AU - Masato Ueno
AU - Yoshiteru Takekita
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Frontiers in psychiatry
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1904119
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899150
AB - Background Constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder, impairs quality of life (QOL) and work productivity. This study evaluated constipation severity in individuals with schizophrenia, depression, and the general population and examined its impact on QOL and work productivity, as well as patient education and preferences regarding constipation management.Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted. Assessments included the Constipation Scoring System (CSS), Short Form-8, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, and questions regarding prior explanations of constipation risk and changes in bowel habits. CSS scores were stratified as ≤5 and ≥6.Results In total, 800 participants completed the survey (schizophrenia, n=200; depression, n=200; general population, n=400). CSS scores were higher in the schizophrenia and depression groups than in the general population. Multivariable regression analysis showed that schizophrenia and depression were associated with constipation severity. In the schizophrenia and depression groups, current symptom status and anxiolytic use remained independently associated with CSS scores. Across all groups, participants with CSS scores ≥6 had lower Mental Component Summary scores and higher levels of presenteeism, overall work productivity loss, and activity impairment than those with CSS scores ≤5. Approximately 30% of all participants in each of the schizophrenia and depression groups reported receiving prior explanations regarding psychotropic-related constipation risk, while 40% reported bowel-habit changes after psychotropic drug initiation.Conclusions Constipation severity was higher in participants with schizophrenia and depression than in the general population; greater severity was associated with lower QOL and greater work productivity impairment. Routine screening, education on constipation, and patient-centered constipation management may be useful clinical approaches for addressing constipation and its associated burden in these populations.Trial registration This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000058981).
SN - 1664-0640
ER -