Cost savings of reduced constipation rates attributed to increased dietary fiber intakes: a decision-analytic model

Table 1 Input parameters for decision-analytic model and corresponding sources

Parameter	Value (Base Case)	Source(s)
Population meeting fiber recommendations
Adult, male	3%	USDA, 2010 [2]
Adult, female	6%	USDA, 2010 [2]
Pediatric, male	3%	USDA, 2010 [2]
Pediatric, female	3%	USDA, 2010 [2]
Population with constipation
Adult, male	4.6%	Stewart et al., 1999 [22]
Adult, female	4.6%	Stewart et al., 1999 [22]
Pediatric, male	4.6%	Based on Stewart et al., 1999 [22]
Pediatric, female	4.6%	Based on Stewart et al., 1999 [22]
Percent of population expected to respond to fiber^a	85%	Voderholzer et al. 1997 [30]
Percent reduction in constipation associated with each 1 g/day increase in fiber intake	1.9%	Dukas et al. 2003 [18]
Constipation severity
Adults	75% require prescription	Assumption
Pediatric	100% require prescription	Assumption
Annual cost
Adult, prescription	$10,786.15	Mean of Mitra et al., 2011 [31] and Nyrop et al. 2007 [32], inflated to 2012
Adult, OTC	$566.54	Nyrop et al. 2007 [32], inflated to 2012
Pediatric, prescription	$3032.97	Liem et al., 2009 [33], inflated to 2012
Change in fiber intake	Increase of 9 g daily	Assumption^b

Abbreviations: USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture, OTC over-the-counter.
^aRespond to fiber = alleviation of constipation.
^bAssumed value of 9 g/day corresponds to the difference between the lower limit of the fiber recommendation established by the IOM (25 g/day) and the current mean intake in the population (16 g/day).

ISSN: 1471-2458