Increasing dietary fiber intake in terms of kiwifruit improves constipation in Chinese patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if increased dietary fiber, in terms of kiwifruit, is effective in Chinese constipated patients.


METHODS
33 constipated patients and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited for a 4-wk treatment of kiwi fruit twice daily. Response during wk 1-4 was defined as an increase in complete spontaneous bowl, motion (CSBM) > or = 1/wk. Secondary efficacy included response during wk 1-4, individual symptoms and scores of bowel habits and constipation. Responses were compared with the baseline run-in period. Colonic transit time and anorectal manometry were performed before and after treatment.


RESULTS
Responder rate was 54.5% in the constipated group. The mean CSBM increased after treatment (2.2 +/- 2.6 vs 4.4 +/- 4.6, P = 0.013). There was also improvement in the scores for bothersomeness of constipation (P = 0.02), and satisfaction of bowel habit (P = 0.001), and decreased in days of laxative used (P = 0.003). There was also improvement in transit time (P = 0.003) and rectal sensation (P < 0.05). However, there was no change in the bowel symptoms or anorectal physiology in the healthy subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing dietary fiber intake is effective in relieving chronic constipation in Chinese population.
Chan
Annie-On-On
AO
Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China. aoochan@hku.hk
Leung
Gigi
G
Tong
Teresa
T
Wong
Nina-Yh
NY
D029042:Actinidia; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods