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Review
. 2021 Nov 15:2021:3248052.
doi: 10.1155/2021/3248052. eCollection 2021.

A Primary Care Approach to Constipation in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Reshmi Mathew  1 , Barrett O Attarha  1 , Govind Kallumkal  2 , Morgan Cribbin  2 , Christopher Izzo  1 , Linda Edwards  1 , Rafik Jacob  1
Affiliations
Review

A Primary Care Approach to Constipation in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Reshmi Mathew et al. Adv Med. .

Abstract

Constipation is a condition that is very prevalent and is reported in up to 40 percent of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Constipation in this patient population is most commonly secondary to neuromuscular abnormalities, immobility, suboptimal diet, and medication side effects. History taking is frequently limited in adults with IDD due to communication barriers, often leading to a missed diagnosis of constipation. Inadequately treated constipation may lead to adverse effects including behavioral disturbances, fecal impaction, intestinal obstruction, and even death from intestinal perforation and sepsis. As a result, a high index of suspicion must exist for this patient population. Treatment in these patients requires an individualized approach, to reduce the constipation and its associated health complications.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Abdominal X-ray radiography demonstrating fecaloma in a 34-year-old patient with intellectual and developmental disabilities and chronic constipation. The image shows a 10.2 cm fecaloma (red arrow) located in the rectum, with the presence of a high colonic stool burden proximally.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Treatment algorithm: a flow chart that helps PCPs in the step-by-step management of constipation in adults with IDD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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