Flixweed vs. Polyethylene Glycol in the Treatment of Childhood Functional Constipation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background:

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is often considered as the first-line treatment for functional constipation in children. Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb et Berth (D. sophia) is a safe recommended medicine in Iranian folk and Traditional Persian Medicine for the treatment of constipation.

Objectives:

To clinically compare D. sophia with PEG 4000 (without electrolyte) in pediatric constipation and to assess its efficacy and side effects.

Patients and Methods:

120 patients aged 2 - 12 years with constipation for at least 3 months were included in an 8 weeks lasting randomized controlled trial within two parallel-groups. Children received either PEG, 0.4 g/kg/day, or D. sophia seeds, 2 grams (for children aged 2 - 4 years) and 3 grams (for those aged > 4 years) per day.

Results:

A total of 109 patients completed the study (56 in D. sophia and 53 in PEG group). At the end of the study, 36 (64.3%) patients in D. sophia group and 29 (54.7%) in PEG group were out of Rome III criteria (P = 0.205). Median weekly stool frequency in 0, 1, 2, 3 weeks of the treatment was found to be 2, 5, 5, 5 in D. sophia and 3, 4, 4, 5 in PEG group (P = 0.139, 0.076, 0.844, 0.294), respectively. The number of patients who suffered flatulence was less (5, 8.9%) in D. sophia group as compared to PEG group (6, 11.3%) at the end of the trial (P = 0.461). D. sophia taste was less tolerated.

Conclusions:

D. sophia is introduced as a cheap and available medication which can be applied as a safe alternative to conventional PEG in the management of pediatric chronic functional constipation.     

Evaluation of the Paradoxical Sphincter Contraction by a Strain/Squeeze Index in Constipated Patients

PURPOSE One finding in patients with constipation is the paradoxical puborectalis contraction, i.e. , activation of the sphincter muscles during straining instead of relaxation. The aims of this study were to evaluate the importance of needle placement in sphincter-electromyography and to evaluate a strain/squeeze index in constipated patients and control subjects. METHODS We investigated consecutively 194 constipated patients and 16 control subjects with integrated electromyography during straining and squeezing and calculated a strain/squeeze index. The examination was performed in the puborectalis and in the external anal sphincter muscle through hook-electrodes. RESULTS There was a strong correlation between indices in the puborectalis muscle and in the external anal sphincter muscle (r = 0.70–0.80, P < 0.001). Forty-seven patients (24 percent) had a mean index of greater than 50 compared with none in the control group (P = 0.01). Mean overall index in patients was 24 (range, 0–306) vs. 18 (range, 0–45) in controls (P = 0.12). Patients with an index greater than 50 had impaired rectal evacuation (P < 0.001), increased threshold for urge (P < 0.05), and tended to have fewer stools (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION Quantification of paradoxical contraction in the puborectalis and external anal sphincter with a strain/squeeze index differentiates patients in whom paradoxical activity may be a cause of constipation. An index above 50 may be of pathologic significance. Correlations between activity in the puborectalis and external anal sphincter muscle were strong which suggests that investigation in one of them is sufficient. Reprints are not available.     

Recurrent rectal prolapse

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and functional outcome of surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse and compare it with the outcome of patients who underwent primary operation for rectal prolapse. METHODS: All patients who underwent surgery for rectal prolapse were evaluated for age, gender, procedure, anorectal manometry and electromyography findings, and morbidity. The results for patients who underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse were compared with a group of patients matched for age, gender, surgeon, and procedure who underwent primary operations for rectal prolapse. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients underwent surgery for rectal prolapse. Twenty-seven patients, 10 initially operated on at this institution and 17 operated on elsewhere, underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse. These 27 patients were compared with 27 patients with primary rectal prolapse operated on in our department. In the recurrent rectal prolapse group, prior surgery included rectopexy in 7 patients, Delorme's procedure in 7 patients, perineal rectosigmoidectomy in 7 patients, anal encirclement procedure in 4 patients, and resection rectopexy in 2 patients. Operations performed for recurrence were perineal rectosigmoidectomy in 14 patients, resection rectopexy in 8 patients, rectopexy in 2 patients, pelvic floor repair in 2 patients, and Delorme's procedure in 1 patient. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in preoperative incontinence score (recurrent rectal prolapse, 13.6±7.8vs. rectal prolapse, 12.7±7.2; range, 0–20) or manometric or electromyography findings, and there were no significant differences in mortality (0vs. 3.7 percent), mean hospital stay (5.4±2.5vs. 6.9±2.8 days), anastomotic complications (anastomotic stricture (0vs. 7.4 percent), anastomotic leak (3.7vs. 3.7 percent) and wound infection (3.7vs. 0 percent)), postoperative incontinence score (2.8±4.8vs. 1.5±2.7), or recurrence rate (14.8vs. 11.1 percent) between the two groups at a mean follow-up of 23.9 (range, 6–68) and 22 (range, 5–55) months, respectively. The overall success rate for recurrent rectal prolapse was 85.2 percent. CONCLUSION: The outcome of surgery for rectal prolapse is similar in cases of primary or recurrent prolapse. The same surgical options are valid in both scenarios.Funded in part by a generous grant from the Eleanor Naylor Dana Charitable Trust Fund and the Caporella Family.Poster presentation at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 22 to 26, 1997.     

Potential risk factors for constipation in the community

Constipation is a common community health problem. There are many factors that are widely thought to be associated with constipation but real-world evidence of these associations is difficult to locate. These potential risk factors may be categorised as demographic, lifestyle and health-related factors. This review presents the available evidence for each factor by an assessment of quantitative data from cross-sectional studies of community-dwelling adults published over the last 30 years. It appears that there is evidence of an association between constipation and female gender, residential location, physical activity and some health-related factors such as self-rated health, some surgery, certain medical conditions and certain medications. The available evidence for most other factors is either conflicting or insufficient. Therefore, further research is necessary to determine if each factor is truly associated with constipation and whether it can be regarded as a potential risk factor. It is recommended that studies investigating a broad range of factors are conducted in populations in community settings. Multivariate analyses should be performed to account for all possible confounding factors. In this way, valuable evidence can be accumulated for a better understanding of potential risk factors for constipation in the community.     

Patterns of colonic motility as recorded by a sham fecaloma reveal differences among patients with idiopathic chronic constipation

BACKGROUND: By using a technique designated sham fecaloma, we were able to identify two types of segmentary motor phenomenon: displacement motor phenomena and nondisplacement motor phenomena. The aim of the study contained herein was to evaluate for identification of patients with different types of slow-transit constipation. METHODS: Studies were performed in healthy subjects (n=5; colonic transit time <30 hours) and in constipated patients (n=6; colonic transit time >125 hours; normal rectoanal manometry). A Foley®-type recording probe with two perfused catheters (proximal and distal) was used. A rigid sigmoidoscope was used to place the probe at the sigmoid colon. Values recorded by the distal catheter were subtracted (point by point) from the values recorded by the proximal catheter. Subtraction curves were analyzed to quantify characteristics of displacement motor phenomena (an anally directed pressure gradient) and nondisplacement motor phenomena (an orally directed pressure gradient). RESULTS: All healthy subjects had contractions during the recording session. Displacement motor phenomena were predominant (displacement motor phenomena/30 minutes = 21.2±13.2; range, 3–39). Constipated patients yielded two different patterns: three patients had a very small number of contractions, and three patients had a prevalence of nondisplacement motor phenomena, with numbers similar to numbers of displacement motor phenomena in healthy subjects. A comparison of the patterns of constipated patients revealed a statistically significant difference (P=0.039). CONCLUSION: Sham fecaloma is a simple and safe test. Constipated patients in this study had two different patterns of colonic motility scarce activity without haustration and normal activity without displacement motor phenomena. This method might be useful as a diagnostic tool for clarification of the pathophysiology of severe colonic motor disorders.Supported in part by a grant from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS) (Spain) and by a grant from Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (Spain).Software and analytic systems used during the course of this study were developed by Prof. P. Carrion, Prof. F. Garcia-Sevilla, and Prof. M. Martinez-Iniesta, all of Castilla-La Mancha University (Department of Electronics) Albacete, Spain.     

Role of yoga therapy in improving digestive health and quality of sleep in an elderly population: A randomized controlled trial

IntroductionConstipation and sleep disturbances commonly affect elderly population results in compromised physical and mental health. Mind-body interventions like yoga not only address the mental and physical health but also promote healthy ageing. This study evaluates the effect of 3 months yoga intervention on the sleep and constipation related quality of life (QoL) among the elderly.Materials and methodsNinety six participants aged between 60 and 75 who did not had any history of yoga practice for past 1 year and having a zubrod score of 0–2 were randomized in to yoga (n = 48) or waitlisted control (n = 48). The yoga group received yoga interventions at a frequency of 3 sessions per week for 3 months. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Patient Assessment of Constipation QoL (PAC-QOL) were used to assess the improvement. Intention to treat analysis method was used to include the drop-out participants.ResultsEighty one participants (Yoga = 48, waitlisted control = 33) completed the study. Wilcoxon's sign rank test has shown that the yoga group had statistically significant changes in most of the parameters in PSQI and PAC-QOL (P ≤ 0.05). Mann Whitney test revealed that yoga group has better improvement in the sleep quality and constipation related QOL (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the controls.DiscussionThe results signify yoga can ease old age related issues like constipation and insomnia. This is encouraging for inclusion of yoga as a daily practice regimen to improve the constipation and sleep related quality of life in elderly population.     

老年特发性便秘直肠肛门压力测试59例分析

目的　探讨老年慢性特发性便秘 (CIC)患者直肠肛门运动功能变化 ,　 方法 　采用瑞典Medtronic公司生产的 8通道水灌注式消化道压力检测系统对 5 9例老年CIC患者及 36例老年对照者进行直肠肛门压力测定。　 结果 　老年CIC患者最大缩榨压、模拟排便时肛管压力变化低于老年对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,直肠初始感觉阈值、排便阈值和最大耐受容量均高于老年对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,2 8例 (47 5 % )老年CIC患者模拟排便时出现肛管压力异常升高。　 结论 　老年CIC与直肠低敏感、高耐受及排便时直肠肛管运动不协调有关     

低频脉冲电位治疗骨科卧床患者便秘的疗效分析

目的：：对低频脉冲电位治疗骨科卧床患者便秘的疗效进行分析和探讨。方法：以我院2011年1月至2014年1月收治的100例骨科卧床合并便秘患者为研究对象,随机分为观察组与对照组,各50例。对照组给予常规便秘护理;观察组在对照组的基础上,给予低频脉冲电位治疗。观察指标：总有效率、使用开塞露率、排便频率、排便时间和粪便性状。结果：治疗1周后,观察组总效率为98.0%,显著高于对照组80.0%,差异有统计学意义(字2=6.553, P=0.034);观察组使用开塞露率为12.0%,显著低于对照组34.0%,差异有统计学意义(字2=6.0623, P=0.042);观察组排便频率、排便时间及粪便性状开始改善时间也显著快于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论：低频脉冲电位治疗骨科卧床患者便秘,疗效显著。可明显降低患者使用开塞露的比率,加强排便反射活动,提高排便频率,改善粪便性状,利于患者临床康复,值得在临床广泛推广应用。     

南京市区老年人便秘患病率及其与亚健康症状关系的调查

目的 为了解南京市老年人便秘现状，以及探讨便秘与亚健康的关系。方法 采用整群抽样方法，对南京市2个街道(20个居委会)和1个老年公寓60岁以上3731名老年人进行便秘与亚健康调查。结果 南京市老年人便秘患病率为24.0％，并随年龄增长其患病率增高(P＜0．01)。根据32项亚健康症状调查，便秘组(男性：28项；女性：23项)亚健康症状的发生率均高于非便秘组；前10位亚健康症状中，皮肤瘙痒和皮肤干燥为便秘者易发生的亚健康症状；便秘者平均个体有3种以上亚健康症状者(64．6％)明显高于非便秘组(42.7％，P＜0.01)。结论 老年人便秘的患病率较高，便秘者较易发生亚健康症状。防治老年人便秘，对预防亚健康症状的发生及增进老年人健康非常重要。