'Fiber 7' supplement as an alternative to laxatives in a nursing home.
BACKGROUND
Chronic constipation is a common and bothersome problem in elderly nursing home patients. Although fibre has a known role in the treatment of constipation, laxatives are still widely used in nursing home patients.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the addition of a fibre supplement to oral diet can reduce the use of laxatives in a long-term care facility.


METHODS
Oral diet of 92 nursing home residents (all older than 65) on chronic laxatives (docusate, milk of magnesia with Cascara, psyllium) was supplemented with 'Fiber 7', a natural powder fibre (7 g per meal twice a day). During the next 2.5 years discontinuation of laxatives was attempted.


RESULTS
Laxatives were successfully discontinued in 63 of the 92 patients (68.5%, 95% confidence interval 59-78%). The fibre supplement was well tolerated. The cost of care was decreased by dollar 3.5 per patient every month or by dollar 220/month for the 63 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of 'Fiber 7' allowed discontinuation of laxatives in 63 of 92 nursing home residents. The fibre supplement was a safe and convenient alternative to laxatives and decreased the cost of medical care.
Khaja
M
M
New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, NY, USA.
Thakur
C S
CS
Bharathan
T
T
Baccash
E
E
Goldenberg
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011446:Prospective Studies
D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber