Medical Management of Constipation in Elderly Patients: Systematic Review
- Authors
- Kang, Seung Joo; Cho, Young Sin; Lee, Tae Hee; Kim, Seong-Eun; Ryu, Han Seung; Kim, Jung-Wook; Park, Seon-Young; Lee, Yoo Jin; Shin, Jeong Eun
- Issue Date
- Oct-2021
- Publisher
- 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회
- Keywords
- Aged; Constipation; Laxatives; Systematic review
- Citation
- Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM), v.27, no.4, pp 495 - 512
- Pages
- 18
- Journal Title
- Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM)
- Volume
- 27
- Number
- 4
- Start Page
- 495
- End Page
- 512
- URI
- https://scholarworks.bwise.kr/sch/handle/2021.sw.sch/20428
- DOI
- 10.5056/jnm20210
- ISSN
- 2093-0879
2093-0887
- Abstract
- Background/Aims Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem in the elderly. Because of the limitations of life style modifications and the comorbidity, laxative use is also very common. Therefore, this study reviews the latest literature on the effect and safety of laxative in the elderly. Methods A systematic review of randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness and safety of laxatives for constipation in elderly patients over 65 years old were performed using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Results Twenty-three randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Among the selected studies, 9 studies compared laxative with placebo and 5 studies compared laxatives of the same type. Four studies compared different types of laxatives or compared combination agents. Five studies compared novel medications such as prucalopride, lubiprostone, and elobixibat with placebo. Psyllium, calcium polycarbophil, lactulose syrup, lactitol, polyethylene glycol, magnesium hydroxide, stimulant laxative with or without fiber, and other medications were more effective than placebo in elderly constipation patients in short-term. Generally, the frequency and severity of adverse effects of laxative were similar between the arms of studies. Conclusions Bulk laxative, osmotic laxative, stimulant laxative with or without fiber, and other medications can be used in elderly patients in short-term within 3 months with reasonable safety. However, the quality of included studies was not high and most of studies was conducted in a small number of patients. Among these laxatives, polyethylene glycol seems to be safe and effective in long-term use of about 6 months in elderly patients.
- Files in This Item
- There are no files associated with this item.
- Appears in
Collections - College of Medicine > Department of Internal Medicine > 1. Journal Articles
- College of Medicine > Department of Internal Medicine > 1. Journal Articles
Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.