Chronic constipation is a highly prevalent disorder worldwide and, although often dismissed as a mere nuisance, can result in a significant impairment in quality of life and impose considerable costs to the individual, as well as to society at large.1 Several endocrine, neurologic, and other nongastrointestinal disorders, as well as a long list of commonly prescribed drugs, may result in so-called secondary constipation; in many instances, however, an obvious cause is not evident, this clinical entity is referred to as chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC; frequently referred to simply as chronic constipation).