Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral docusate in the management of constipation in hospice patients.
BACKGROUND
The stool softener docusate is widely used in the management of constipation in hospice patients. There is little experimental evidence to support this practice, and no randomized trials have been conducted in the hospice setting.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of docusate in hospice patients.


METHODS
This was a 10-day, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of docusate and sennosides vs. placebo and sennosides in hospice patients in Edmonton, Alberta. Patients were included if they were age 18 years or older, able to take oral medications, did not have a gastrointestinal stoma, and had a Palliative Performance Scale score of 20% or more. The primary outcome measures were stool frequency, volume, and consistency. Secondary outcomes were patient perceptions of bowel movements (difficulty and completeness of evacuation) and bowel-related interventions.


RESULTS
A total of 74 patients were randomized into the study (35 to the docusate group and 39 to the placebo group). There were neither significant differences between the groups in stool frequency, volume, or consistency, nor in difficulty or completeness of evacuation. On the Bristol Stool Form Scale, more patients in the placebo group had Type 4 (smooth and soft) and Type 5 (soft blobs) stool, whereas in the docusate group, more had Type 3 (sausage like) and Type 6 (mushy) stool (P=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant benefit of docusate plus sennosides compared with placebo plus sennosides in managing constipation in hospice patients. Docusate use should be considered on an individual basis.
Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. yoko.tarumi@albertahealthservices.ca
Yoko
Y
Tarumi
Mitchell P
MP
Wilson
Olga
O
Szafran
G Richard
GR
Spooner
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004143:Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012676:Senna Extract / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D054368:Laxatives; D004143:Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; D012676:Senna Extract