OBJECTIVES: In patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, there is a certain proportion who also suffer from constipation. However, the economic burden of these patients has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to investigate the economic burden of constipation and willingness to pay (WTP) for constipation treatment in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain who were being treated at an orthopedic surgery department, anesthesiology department, or pain management clinic in Japan.

METHODS: This web-based questionnaire study was conducted in patients over 18 years old with chronic musculoskeletal pain recruited from Macromill Carenet’s survey panel. Questionnaire responses were used to identify patients with constipation. The economic burden of constipation and WTP for constipation treatment were analyzed. Responses were analyzed by descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Of the 3,090 patients who participated in the study, 3,000 were analyzed. Constipation was reported in 1,231 patients (41.0%). The overall mean cost per patient to alleviate constipation symptoms was 3,974.0 yen per month. In the overall studied population, the patients’ WTP for constipation treatment averaged 2,453.4 yen per month.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide insight into the amount that patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain are willing to pay for constipation treatment, which may help to guide practitioners when making treatment decisions.