Terapia della stipsi cronica

Chronic constipation is a common complaint. The symptoms that are grouped together under the label of "constipation" reflect altered large bowel function or a perceived malfunction. In both cases the quality of life is poor in the patients and the condition is associated with high social costs. A limited number of diagnostic tests is really useful to assess the patients with constipation. Several treatment options are available, but in most of the cases the clinical evidences supporting both the diagnostic and therapeutic decisions are limited or insufficient. The aim of this article is to review the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with chronic constipation with particular emphasis to the levels of evidence that support these approaches.