In a prospective cohort study published in "Medicina", alarming findings have surfaced regarding the prevalence of constipation among hospitalized people in the medical wards. This gastrointestinal condition, often underestimated in its impact, has been shown to significantly affect both the health-related quality of life of patients and the healthcare systems grappling with its consequences.

The objective was to assess the occurrence, detection, influencing factors, and progression of constipation in patients hospitalized in medical wards. To achieve this, a study was carried out, encompassing all adults admitted to the General Medicine Unit. Constipation was identified with the aid of the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), and pertinent information was extracted from the volunteers' medical records.

Key Study Highlights:

• High Prevalence: Among the 556 patients meeting the study's criteria, a staggering 55.6% were found to suffer from constipation (95% CI 52.8-58.4). This unexpected prevalence underscores the need for greater attention to this condition.
• Age and Frailty: Patients with constipation were observed to be older, revealing a significant correlation (p < 0.01). Moreover, higher frailty scores were associated with constipation (p < 0.01), suggesting a potential link between these factors.
• Independent Risk Factors: The study's logistic regression analysis unveiled several independent risk factors for constipation. The usage of dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2-2.8; p < 0.01), frailty score (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.5; p < 0.01), and heart failure (Odds ratio [OR] 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.7; p = 0.01) were all recognized as contributors to this gastrointestinal issue.
• Underdiagnosis: Perhaps most concerning is the revelation that the medical team failed to identify constipation in a substantial 64.01% of affected patients. This underscores the urgency of implementing routine constipation assessments as part of every patient's medical records to ensure timely recognition and intervention.

This study's findings shed light on the underappreciated burden of constipation among medically hospitalized individuals. It emphasizes the need for healthcare systems to proactively address this issue, not only for the well-being of patients but also to minimize the healthcare costs associated with increased office visits, specialist referrals, and hospital admissions.