title: Increasing dietary fiber intake in terms of kiwifruit improves constipation in Chinese patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China. aoochan@hku.hk
authors.forename: Annie-On-On
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Gigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Nina-Yh
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: 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