OBJECTIVES: Opioid induced constipation (OIC) can impact work productivity so that a person is unable to go to work (absenteeism), or is impaired at work (presenteeism). The objective of this literature review was to identify studies that investigated productivity burden in patients with OIC. METHODS: A literature review was undertaken to identify studies in patients with cancer and without cancer that quantified the work productivity burden of OIC. Searches were conducted in August 2016 in bibliographical databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CDSR, CENTRAL, DARE, HTA and NHSEED. Abstract books of recent congresses were also searched. Results were assessed for relevance by two reviewers and data extracted. RESULTS: