Fruit and fibre (Pajala porridge) in the prevention of constipation.
OBJECTIVE
Constipation is a common problem in geriatric wards and in the elderly population. Although high-fibre diets can help relieve constipation non-pharmacologically in many patients, traditional laxatives still remain the standard treatment. A fibre supplement in the form of raw bran is not always well tolerated. We wanted to study the effects of a daily consumption of a fruit- and fibre-rich porridge on stool frequency, perceived well-being and the costs for laxatives, when compared with traditional treatment with laxatives, in geriatric patients.


METHODS
Twenty patients in secondary geriatric wards (hospital rehabilitation wards) were randomized into an intervention group (porridge group) and a control group (standard diet without porridge) for a 1-week run-in and 2-week study, with registration of clinical data, e.g. medical treatment, laxative consumption, stool frequency and perceived well-being.


RESULTS
The patients in the porridge group had a daily defaecation without laxatives on average 76% of the time (10.7/14 days) compared with 23% of the time (3.3/14 days) in the non-porridge group (p = 0.003). The discomfort was less in the porridge group (2.5 vs. 6.5 on a 10-degree visual analogue scale, p = 0.008) when compared with the control group. The cost for laxatives was 93% lower in the intervention group (2.5 vs. 37.5) for the 2-week study.


CONCLUSIONS
A fibre-rich porridge was effective, well liked and tolerated and reduced the need for laxatives in geriatric patients. We conclude that a daily fibre-rich meal ought to be included in the treatment strategies of constipation in hospital wards.
Wisten
Aase
A
Section of Geriatrics and Rehabilitation, Department of Internal Medicine, Sunderby Hospital, Luleå, Sweden. aasewisten@hotmail.com
Messner
Torbjörn
T
D000368:Aged; D002400:Cathartics / Q000191:economics; D003248:Constipation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013548:Sweden
D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber