Efficacy of polyethylene glycol 4000 on constipation of posttraumatic bedridden patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol 4000 on adult patients with functional constipation due to posttraumatic confinement to bed.


METHODS
A total of 201 posttraumatic bedridden patients were studied in this prospective, open-labeled, single-group study. Polyethylene glycol 4000 was administered orally for 14 days and the dosage was adjusted according to the Bristol stool types. Demographic characteristics, disease status, treatment period and factors affecting clinical outcome, especially the concomitant medications, were recorded.


RESULTS
After administration of polyethylene glycol 4000, 194 cases (96.52%) showed remission of constipation, including 153 (76.12%) persistent remission. The average defecation frequency increased significantly after treatment and the percentage of patients with stools of normal types (Bristol types 3-5) increased as well. Genders, ages and concomitant medications showed no significant influence on the persistent remission rate. After consecutive treatment for two weeks, patients with slight movement showed a significantly higher remission rate than those without movement (95% vs 80%). At the end of treatment, most accompanying symptoms were relieved obviously. Patients with a medical history of constipation or ever taking laxatives showed a lower remission rate. Sixty cases (29.85%) developed diarrhea during the observational period, among whom 6 (10%) withdrew from the clinical observation voluntarily at the first onset of diarrhea. Two cases suffered from abdominal pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Polyethylene glycol 4000 has efficacy on functional constipation in posttraumatic bedridden patients. Furthermore, patients with milder symptoms, more movement in bed, and longer duration of treatment but without accompanying symptoms can achieve a higher remission rate.
Trauma Center of PLA, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. hpzhangly@163.com <hpzhangly@163.com>
Lian-yang
LY
Zhang
Yuan-zhang
YZ
Yao
Tao
T
Wang
Jun
J
Fei
Yue
Y
Shen
Yong-hua
YH
Chen
Zhao-wen
ZW
Zong
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001510:Bed Rest; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*
D011092:Polyethylene Glycols