OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic constipation (CC) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), work and daily activity among US commercially-insured patients. METHODS: Consenting survey-eligible patients ≥18 years identified from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database completed a cross-sectional survey. IBS-C cases that had ≥1 IBS claim and either ≥2 constipation claims or ≥1 constipation claim and ≥1 constipation-related pharmacy claim and CC cases that had ≥2 constipation claims ≥90 days apart or ≥1 constipation claim and ≥1 constipation-related pharmacy claim ≥90 days apart were included. Controls were matched on age, gender, region, plan type and insurance status. Only cases meeting and controls not meeting modified Rome III criteria completed the survey. Short Form-12 v2 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) [range: 0–100; US normative mean=50]) and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D; range: 0=death to 1=perfect health) assessed HRQOL. Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (General Health version) assessed absenteeism, presenteeism and daily activities (higher percentages indicate greater impairment). Indirect costs were calculated based on overall work productivity loss (absenteeism+presenteeism) using the human capital method. RESULTS: Among 354 respondents (177 IBS-C/CC cases, 177 controls; mean age 46±15 years; 86% female; 66% employed), mean PCS and MCS scores were lower for cases versus controls (mean differences: 8.9 (p<0.01), 6.8 (p<0.01), respectively). EQ-5D mean utility score was lower among cases versus controls (0.7 versus 0.9; p<0.01). Cases also had greater overall work productivity loss (28% versus 12%; p<0.01) and activity impairment (39% versus 15%; p<0.01). Estimated indirect costs were $108 higher per employed respondent/week for cases versus controls (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IBS-C/CC patients reported lower HRQOL and greater impairments in work and daily activity compared with matched controls. Treatments that effectively manage IBS-C/CC symptoms may improve these outcomes in IBS-C/CC patients.