title: Use of Prucalopride for Chronic Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Published Randomized, Controlled Trials.
abstract: This article highlights the role of prucalopride in the management of chronic constipation based upon the principles of meta-analysis using data reported in the published randomized, controlled trials. Sixteen randomized, controlled trials on 3943 patients reported the effectiveness of prucalopride in patients with chronic constipation. Prucalopride successfully increased the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements per week in all variable doses of 1 mg (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.42 [95% CI, 0.18-0.66; P = 0.006]), 2 mg (SMD, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.11-0.56; P = 0.003]), and 4 mg (SMD, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.22-0.44; P = 0.00001]). The risks of adverse events or side effects such as headache, abdominal cramps, excessive flatulence, dizziness, diarrhea, and rash were higher (odds ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.27 to -2.27; P = 0.0004]) in prucalopride group. Prucalopride is clinically a beneficial pharmacotherapy for chronic constipation and its routine use may be considered in patients with chronic simple laxative-resistant constipation.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing Hospital, Worthing, UK.
authors.forename: Muhammad S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sajid
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing Hospital, Worthing, UK.
authors.forename: Madhu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hebbar
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing Hospital, Worthing, UK.
authors.forename: Mirza K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Baig
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Hepatology, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing Hospital, Worthing, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Hepatology, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing Hospital, Worthing, UK.
authors.forename: Zinu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Philipose
keywords: Constipation; Functional bowel disorders; Laxatives; Prucalopride; Secondary constipation