title: [Comparison of the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol with and without electrolytes in the treatment of chronic constipation].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To compare the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol with and without electrolytes (EL) over a 12 week period in treatment of chronic constipation in paediatrics.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational, prospective, longitudinal, parallel group study, including 62 children with chronic constipation according to ROME III criteria and a history of faecal impaction. The children were divided into groups, one group of 30 received polyethylene glycol without EL (PEG) and 32 PEG with EL (PEG+EL) for at least 12 weeks. The main outcomes were the number of bowel movements at 6 and 12 weeks, and the presence of electrolyte disturbances at 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean weekly stool frequencies were similar in both groups at 6 and 12 weeks, with 5.4 and 4.6 stools per week in the PEG+EL and PEG groups, respectively at 12 weeks. After 6 weeks of treatment, 83% (25 of 30) of the PEG group had at least one electrolyte disturbance compared with 56% (18 of 32) in the PEG+EL group (P=.02). Hyponatraemia was found in 15% (5 of 32) vs. 36% (11 of 30) of PEG+EL and PEG groups, respectively (P=.05). None of the laboratory abnormalities were clinically relevant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEG formulations with or without EL have a quite similar effectiveness, safety and acceptability. PEG without EL produced more electrolyte abnormalities, but none of them were symptomatic.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, (Barcelona), España. Electronic address: kikellerena@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Llerena
authors.affiliation: Sección de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, (Barcelona), España.
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Varea Calderón
authors.affiliation: Sección de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, (Barcelona), España.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pujol Muncunill
authors.affiliation: Sección de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, (Barcelona), España.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hernandez Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Corporación IPS Saludcoop, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Franciso Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Sosa Giraldo
authors.affiliation: Sección de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, (Barcelona), España.
authors.forename: Tacya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suarez Fuentes
authors.affiliation: Sección de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, (Barcelona), España.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martín de Carpi
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: Constipation; Estreñimiento; Laxantes; Laxatives; Polietilenglicol; Polyethylene glycol; Tratamiento del estreñimiento; Treatment of constipation