PURPOSE: To assess the cost of care associated with the treatment of constipation subjects. METHODS: All subjects contained within PharMetrics Integrated Outcomes database possessing an ICD-9-CM=564.0 between January 1,1996 and March 31, 1998 were eligible for study inclusion. Subjects were required to have data available for analysis 6 months preceding and following the date of their constipation diagnosis. Charge data were evaluated over the 6-month intervals surrounding the index date. Additionally, monthly charges were plotted over the entire 12- month interval to allow examination of trends associated with the diagnosis and treatment of constipation. Comorbidities and drug utilization related to constipation were also assessed. RESULTS: 9,301 patients met all inclusion criteria. The mean age was 39.74 years and 63.41% of the sample was female. The most commonly observed comorbidities were hypertension (16.3%), diabetes (7.5%), diverticulitis (7.4%) and irritable colon (5.9%). Approximately 8% of the sample received medications thought to have constipating effects in the 6-month period prior to their constipation diagnosis. Prescription laxative use was observed in approximately 3% of subjects after the constipation diagnosis. Average costs rose from $277 (SD=1717) 6 months prior to the constipation diagnosis to $1031 (SD=4402) during the month of the diagnosis. Similarly, average costs decreased from $890 (SD=3852) in the month directly following the index date to $479 (SD=3470) in the sixth month following the index date. CONCLUSION: Costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of constipation patients appear to be concentrated around the index visit. Early detection and resolution of constipation could result in significant cost savings for managed care organizations.