Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CONSTIPATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Chronic constipation in long stay elderly patients: a comparison of lactulose and a senna-fibre combination.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and cost effectiveness of a senna-fibre combination and lactulose in treating constipation in long stay elderly patients. DESIGN: Randomised, double blind, cross over study. SETTING: Four hospitals in Northern Ireland, one hospital in England, and two nursing homes in England. SUBJECTS: 77 elderly patients with a history of chronic constipation in long term hospital or nursing home care. INTERVENTION: A senna-fibre combination (10 ml daily) or lactulose (15 ml twice daily) with matching placebo for two 14 day periods, with 3-5 days before and between treatments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stool frequency, stool consistency, and ease of evacuation; deviation from recommended dose; daily dose and cost per stool; adverse effects. RESULTS: Mean daily bowel frequency was greater with the senna-fibre combination (0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.7 to 0.9) than lactulose (0.6, 0.5 to 0.7; t = 3.51 p < or = 0.001). Scores for stool consistency and ease of evacuation were significantly higher for the senna-fibre combination than for lactulose. The recommended dose was exceeded more frequently with lactulose than the senna-fibre combination (chi 2 = 8.38, p or = 0.01). As an index of the standard daily dose, the dose per stool was 1.52 for lactulose and 0.97 for the senna-fibre combination, at a cost per stool of 39.7p for lactulose and 10.3p for senna-fibre. Adverse effects were no different for the two treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments were effective and well tolerated for chronic constipation in long stay elderly patients. The senna-fibre combination was significantly more effective than lactulose at a lower cost.

Aged↗
PubMed1972

Effect of eating on motility of the pelvic colon in constipation or diarrhoea.

Pelvic colonic pressures were recorded before, during, as well as after a meal in patients with non-specific diarrhoea (12) or constipation (14), who were selected according to strict clinical criteria of bowel habit. In the basal state diarrhoeal patients as a group had significantly less colonic activity than constipated patients, but the overlap was considerable. During the meal colonic activity was strikingly increased in diarrhoea, but returned to basal levels immediately after the meal; no such response was observed in constipation. It is suggested that this brief segmental response of the pelvic diarrhoeal colon may be inadequate to prevent entry of faeces into the rectum and the desire to defaecate, following a meal.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Physiologic study of the terminal digestive tract in chronic painful constipation.

A manometric study of the sigmoid colon and of the anorectum was undertaken in 65 chronically constipated patients complaining of abdominal pain, and in a control group of 23 healthy volunteers. Rectal compliance was tested in both groups. The sigmoid motility study allowed for the segregation of the constipated patients into three groups: hypokinesia (12 cases), normokinesia (34 cases), hyperkinesia (19 cases). Rectal manometry showed anal hypertony in 24 patients, impaired rectal conscious sensitivity in 12 subjects, and normal functions in the remaining cases. The rectal compliance study disclosed a decreased compliance in 15 cases and increased compliance in 13 other patients. In 12 cases disordered sigmoid motility was the only abnormality; in 10 cases only a rectoanal abnormality was found. Most of the patients (52%) exhibited miscellaneous disorders. In contrast, all parameters were normal in nine subjects. No consistent pattern of motility disorders was thus demonstrated in this clinically homogeneous group of patients with chronic, painful, constipation.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Irritable bowel-type symptoms in spontaneous and induced constipation.

The prevalence and severity of irritable bowel symptoms was assessed by systematic questioning in 44 constipated volunteers, most of whom had documented slow intestinal transit. All but two had one or more of the following: passage of mucus, rectal dissatisfaction, bloating, and abdominal pain relieved by defecation. All the symptoms were more prevalent than in 17 normal volunteers or in 301 apparently healthy people studied previously. When 12 normal subjects were made constipated with loperamide all developed one or more irritable bowel symptoms. When 24 constipated subjects received effective laxative treatment the prevalence and severity of these symptoms fell markedly. The findings suggest that in some subjects the slowing down of intestinal transit is associated with irritable bowel symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of chronic constipation with cisapride and placebo.

The effect of cisapride (20 mg bid), a new prokinetic drug, on bowel habits and laxative consumption was studied in patients with idiopathic painless constipation and chronic laxative intake. After a four week base line period, spontaneous defection (frequency without laxative intake) and total defecation (total frequency) were measured. Patients with a spontaneous defecation of less than three stools per week entered the treatment period and were randomly assigned to double blind treatment with either cisapride (n = 64) or placebo (n = 62). After eight weeks of treatment, a four week run out phase on single blind placebo medication was conducted. Cisapride and placebo increased spontaneous stool frequency from 1.1 +/- 0.2 SEM to 3.0 +/- 0.2 per week (p less than 0.001) and from 1.2 +/- 0.1 to 1.5 +/- 0.2 (p greater than 0.05), respectively. Laxative consumption was decreased from 3.6 +/- 0.3 to 1.8 +/- 0.2 doses/week by cisapride (p less than 0.001) and from 3.3 +/- 0.3 to 2.8 +/- 0.3 by placebo (p less than 0.05). Both drugs improved constipation as assessed by the patient by means of a visual analogue scale, but cisapride did so to a larger extent than placebo. The effects of cisapride partly outlasted active medication by at least four weeks. It is concluded that cisapride improves bowel habits in patients with idiopathic constipation and reduces laxative consumption.

Cathartics↗
PubMed1991

Steroid hormone abnormalities in women with severe idiopathic constipation.

Patients with severe idiopathic constipation are almost exclusively women of reproductive age. To investigate the possibility of a sex hormone abnormality in this condition, we have compared a range of sex hormones during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in 23 healthy women (mean age 33 years) with those in 26 patients with severe idiopathic constipation (mean age 32 years, spontaneous bowel frequency less than one per week). In the patients there was a reduction in the follicular phase of progesterone (4.5 v 4 nmol/l, p = 0.006, median value, controls v patients), 17 hydroxyprogesterone (9.7 v 5.8 nmol/l, p = 0.01), cortisol (387 v 245 nmol/l, p = 0.008), testosterone (2.3 v 1.8 nmol/l, p less than 0.001), androstenedione (10.3 v 8.4 nmol/l, p = 0.02), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (5.1 v 3.0 mumol/l, p = 0.03). In the luteal phase there was a reduction of oestradiol (483 v 350 pmol/l, p = 0.015), cortisol (322 v 242 nmol/l, p = 0.047), and testosterone (2.4 v 1.7 nmol/l, p = 0.003). The concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin, prolactin, luteinising hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone were not significantly different in either phase of the cycle. Women with severe idiopathic constipation have a consistent reduction in steroid hormones.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1998

Subtypes of constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome based on rectal perception.

BACKGROUND: Patients who complain of constipation can be divided into those who have lost the natural call to stool, but develop abdominal discomfort after several days without a bowel movement (no urge); and those who experience a constant sensation of incomplete evacuation (urge). AIMS: To determine whether the two groups differ in symptoms, colonic transit, and perceptual responses to controlled rectal distension. METHODS: Forty four patients with constipation were evaluated with a bowel symptom questionnaire, colonic transit (radiopaque markers), and rectal balloon distension. Stool (S) and discomfort (D) thresholds to slow ramp (40 ml/min) and rapid phasic distension (870 ml/min) were determined with an electronic distension device. Fifteen healthy controls were also studied. RESULTS: All patients had Rome positive irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); 17 were no urge and 27 urge. Mean D threshold to phasic rectal distensions was 28 (3) mm Hg in no urge, 27 (3) mm Hg in urge (NS), but higher in the control group (46 (2) mm Hg; p < 0.01). Sixty seven per cent of no urge and 69% of urge were hypersensitive for D. Slow ramp distension thresholds were higher in no urge (S: 26 (3); D: 45 (4) mm Hg) compared with urge (S: 16 (2); D: 31 (3) mm Hg; p < 0.01), or with controls (S: 15 (1); D: 30 (3); p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hyposensitivity to slow rectal distension is found in patients with IBS who complain of constipation and have lost the call to stool even though their sensitivity to phasic distension is increased.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Gall bladder emptying in severe idiopathic constipation.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that slow transit constipation (STC) may be part of a panenteric motor disorder. AIM: To evaluate motility of an upper gastrointestinal organ, the gall bladder, in 16 patients with STC and 20 healthy controls. METHODS: Gall bladder emptying (ultrasonography) was studied in response to neural, cephalic-vagal stimulation with modified sham feeding (MSF) for 90 minutes and in response to hormonal stimulation with cholecystokinin (CCK, 0.5 IDU/kg/h) for 60 minutes. RESULTS: Fasting gall bladder volume in patients with STC (17 (2) cm(3)) was significantly (p<0. 01) reduced compared with that in controls (24 (2) cm(3)). Gall bladder emptying in response to MSF was significantly reduced in patients with STC expressed both as percentage emptying (11 (5)% versus 22 (3)%; p<0.05) and as absolute emptying (2.1 (0.7) cm(3) versus 4.9 (0.7) cm(3); p<0.02). However, percentage gall bladder emptying in response to CCK was not different between patients and controls (73 (4)% versus 67 (4)%) although the absolute reduction in gall bladder volume was significantly (p<0.05) smaller in patients (10.7 (1.1) cm(3) versus 15.3 (1.4) cm(3)). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with slow transit constipation have smaller fasting gall bladder volumes, impaired gall bladder responses to vagal cholinergic stimulation, but normal gall bladder responses to hormonal stimulation with CCK. These results point to abnormalities in gastrointestinal motility proximal from the colon in slow transit constipation and more specifically, impaired neural responsiveness.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A filamin A splice mutation resulting in a syndrome of facial dysmorphism, periventricular nodular heterotopia, and severe constipation reminiscent of cerebro-fronto-facial syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Mutations of the filamin A locus (FLNA) on Xq28 have been established in girls with periventricular nodular heterotopia and in patients with otopalatodigital and overlapping phenotypes, the pathogenesis of these phenotypes being thought to be quite distinct. To date only six male cases of periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) have been reported and these almost invariably associated with severe neurological signs. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a new phenotype of male PVNH, with relatively normal development, no epilepsy or other neurological abnormality, severe constipation, and facial dysmorphism and without a discernible skeletal phenotype. This phenotype is associated with a splice site mutation in FLNA c.1923C>T, resulting in the generation of both normal and aberrant mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that the patient retains enough FLNA function to avoid the usual lethality associated with loss of function mutations in males and suggest that the severe constipation may be a clue to the molecular aetiology of other X linked conditions associated with severe constipation.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1988

Constipation and paradoxical puborectalis contraction in anismus and Parkinson's disease: a dystonic phenomenon?

Anismus, or constipation due to functional obstruction at the pelvic outlet by paradoxical contraction of the striated sphincter muscles during defaecation straining, is described in ten constipated patients and four patients with Parkinson's disease and constipation. The dysfunctional pattern of muscle recruitment resembled that characteristic of dystonia elsewhere in the body and was indistinguishable in patients with idiopathic anismus and those with extrapyramidal motor disturbance due to Parkinson's disease. These findings suggest that anismus may be a focal dystonic phenomenon.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Defecography in multiple sclerosis patients with severe constipation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate defecography in assessment of anorectal function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have intractable constipation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with MS and constipation (10 women, one man) underwent defecography. A total of 130 mL of barium, liquid (20 mL) and paste, was introduced into the rectum. A dab of barium marked the external anal orifice, and, in the women, a tampon soaked with contrast medium marked the vagina. Video radiographic images and supplemental 100-mm static camera images were obtained. RESULTS: During defecation, six patients had no puborectalis muscle effacement, four patients had partial effacement, and one patient had complete effacement. No rectal emptying occurred in five patients, and emptying was incomplete in the rest. Three patients developed an intussusception, and two developed a posterolateral pouch. CONCLUSION: Defecography readily demonstrates rectal outlet obstruction and the failure of the puborectalis and anal sphincter muscles to relax. These are frequent findings in MS patients with intractable constipation.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed2000

Plasma cholecystokinin, plasma peptide YY and gallbladder motility in patients with slow transit constipation: effect of intestinal stimulation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Because cholecystokinin and peptide YY are gut hormones with potent effects on gastrointestinal motility, we determined whether abnormalities of cholecystokinin and peptide YY exist in slow transit constipation. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of these hormones before, during and after intraduodenal infusion of a liquid meal in 21 patients with slow transit constipation were compared with the results in 8 healthy controls. RESULTS: Fasting levels of plasma cholecystokinin (3.1+/-0.2 vs. 2.4+/-0.2 pM; p = 0.02) were higher in patients. Basal plasma peptide YY (11.4+/-1.4 vs. 8.9+/-0.7 pM; p = 0.1) tended to be higher in patients. After the meal (60-90 min), incremental cholecystokinin (p<0.05), but not peptide YY, was significantly higher in patients. During intraduodenal infusion of the meal (0-60 min), incremental plasma cholecystokinin (251+/-20 pM.min) and peptide YY (1,146+/-186 pM. min) in patients were almost similar to control values (262+/-22 and 901+/-166 pM. min). Gallbladder volumes before, during and after the meal were not different between the 2 groups. Gastric emptying of a solid meal was delayed in the majority of patients (12 of 18). Abnormalities of plasma cholecystokinin were observed only in patients with delayed gastric emptying. CONCLUSION: Plasma levels of cholecystokinin are elevated in the fasting state and decrease more slowly after stimulation, but maximum release in response to intestinal nutrients is not altered in patients with slow transit constipation. The abnormality seems to be confined to a subgroup of patients with delayed gastric emptying.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Galacto-oligosaccharides relieve constipation in elderly people.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) relieve constipation in elderly people. The final study population consisted of 14 female subjects, mean age 79.6 (69-87) years, who suffered from constipation. The study was a double-blind two-period cross-over study. Both study periods lasted 2 weeks. The subjects ingested either 2 control yoghurts or 2 GOS-containing yoghurts daily. The yoghurts were otherwise similar, but the daily dose of GOS (Elix'or, BWP, Holland) from the GOS yoghurt was 9 g. The regular use of laxatives was stopped during the study periods and laxatives were used only when necessary. All the subjects reported the function of their intestines daily in a questionnaire. The defecation frequency per week (mean, range) was higher during the GOS period (7.1, 3-15) than during the control period (5.9, 1-14). GOS had no statistically significant effect on the use of laxatives, the consistency of feces or the ease of defecation, although GOS seemed to make defecation easier (p = 0.07). The adverse gastrointestinal symptoms were similar during both the control and the GOS periods. GOS seem to relieve constipation in most elderly people but the responses differ individually.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have elevated serotonin concentrations in colonic mucosa as compared with diarrhea-predominant patients and subjects with normal bowel habits.

BACKGROUND: Serotonin (5-HT) may play an important role in the regulation of colonic motility in humans. However, it is not known whether alterations in the colonic 5-HT system are involved in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: Colonic mucosal specimens ranging from the ascending colon to the rectum were obtained from patients with diarrhea- or constipation-predominant IBS (n = 7 and n = 8, respectively) and from subjects with normal bowel habits (n = 7) by endoscopic biopsy in order to determine whether patients with different clinical manifestations of IBS have different mucosal disposition of 5-HT. The tissue concentrations of 5-HT and its major metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. RESULTS: In all study groups, the mean mucosal 5-HT concentrations obtained from the rectum were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those obtained from more cephalic regions of the colon. In addition, the overall mean mucosal 5-HT concentrations obtained from patients with constipation-predominant IBS were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those obtained from the control subjects and patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS. No significant differences were observed in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The mucosal 5-HT concentrations in the colon showed an ascending cephalocaudal gradient in all study groups. Although the mucosal 5-HT concentrations were elevated in patients with constipation-predominant IBS as compared with those with diarrhea-predominant IBS and the control subjects, further studies are necessary to determine whether the elevated mucosal 5-HT is a cause or a result of abnormal colonic motility.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Clinical management of constipation.

First, it is important to find out whether the patient is complaining of infrequent defaecation, excessive straining at defaecation, abdominal pain or bloating, a general sense of malaise attributed to constipation, soiling, or a combination of more than one symptom. Second, one must decide if there is a definable abnormality as a cause of the symptom(s). Is the colon apparently normal or is its lumen widened (megacolon)? Is the upper gut normal or is there evidence of neuropathy or myopathy? Is the ano-rectum normal or is there evidence of a weak pelvic floor, mucosal prolapse, major rectocele, an internal intussusception or solitary rectal ulcer? Is there any systemic component such as hypothyroidism, hypercalcaemia, neurological or psychiatric disorder or relevant drug therapy? Choice of treatment will depend on this clinical evaluation. The range of treatments available is: Reassurance and stop current treatment: Patients with a bowel obsession may take laxatives or rectal preparations regularly without need. Increase dietary fibre: Most cases of 'simple' constipation respond to increased dietary fibre, possibly with an added supplement of natural bran. Toilet training and altered routine of life: Young people particularly may need to recognise the call to stool and alter their daily routine to permit and encourage regular defaecation. Medicinal bulking agent: Ispaghula, methyl cellulose, concentrated wheat germ or bran, and similar preparations are useful when patients with a normal colon find it difficult to take adequate dietary fibre. These preparations increase the bulk of stool and soften its consistency. They may be useful for those patients with the constipated form of irritable bowel syndrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Constipation and cathartics as risk factors of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

Since individual case-control studies have failed to resolve the question whether constipation and use of cathartics represent significant risk factors of colorectal cancer, a meta-analysis was performed. The method by Peto was used to calculate pooled odds ratios of the cancer risk among exposed and unexposed subjects. The analysis of 14 previously published case-control studies revealed statistically significant risks for colorectal cancer associated with both constipation and use of cathartics, the pooled odds ratios and their 95 percent confidence intervals being 1.48 (1.32-1.66) and 1.46 (1.33-1.61), respectively. The increased risk applied similarly to both sexes, it was higher in cancer of the colon than rectum. Since constipation and cathartics are associated with much lower odds ratios than various dietary components, such as fat, meat, alcohol, and low-vegetable or low-residue diets, it appears that their risk reflects the confounding influence of underlying dietary habits.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1993

How effective is nonlaxative treatment of constipation?

In almost any textbook of medicine so-called simple measures are proposed for treating constipation, such as increasing physical activity, drinking more fluid, triggering the gastrocolonic response by, e.g., drinking a glass of water or a cup of coffee, and bowel training. All of these have not been formally evaluated in constipated patients. Biofeedback training is useful for paradoxical puborectal contraction ('anismus'). Dietary fibre, e.g. in the form of wheat bran, increases stool weight and decreases colonic transit time. So every patient should have an empiric treatment with an adequate amount of fibre. Some patients, especially those with slow transit constipation and those with stasis in the right hemicolon, are not likely to respond to a therapy with bran, however.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗
PubMed2004

Recurrent vomiting and persistent gastroesophageal reflux caused by unrecognized constipation.

Over a 2-year period, 34 children were referred to the division of pediatric gastroenterology at the University of Virginia with chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms whose symptoms rapidly and completely resolved when their unrecognized constipation was treated. The average age at presentation was 8.24 (SD 0.78) years and average duration of upper intestinal symptoms was 15.6 (SD 3.5) months. Twenty-six of 34 had experienced recurrent vomiting, 6 complained of chronic nausea, 17 had chronic symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, and 20 complained of chronic or recurrent abdominal pain, most often in the epigastric region. Smaller numbers had experienced early satiety, choking, gagging, dysphagia, or intermittent diarrhea. Given the prevalence of constipation in childhood, it seems likely that many children who experience chronic upper intestinal symptoms may be suffering from chronic unrecognized constipation as the cause of their upper intestinal symptoms.

Adolescent↗