title: Clinical subgroups of chronic constipation: exploring the potential of polyethylene glycol.
abstract: This brief review has explored the rationale for therapy of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solutions in subgroups of patients with chronic constipation. There appears to be a good rationale for their use in patients with colonic inertia or those with extrinsic denervation. However, first-line therapies such as dietary fibre and bulking agents should be tried initially prior to resorting to osmotic agents such as polyethylene glycol electrolyte solutions.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. camilleri.michael@mayo.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camilleri
mesh_terms: D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D006801:Humans; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols