Constipation in old age

Fruit and vegetable intake in older hospitalized patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Regular intake of fruit and vegetables (F&Vs) has been widely recommended to improve the health of the population. Observational studies show a preventive effect of long-term consumption of adequate nutrients on cancer, diabetes, dementia and other age-related diseases. However, the short-term impact of F&V intake in more specific populations has been under-researched. In the hospital setting, economic choices and logistic problems result in poor quality of food in general, and particularly in fresh F&Vs. As hospital geriatricians, we set out to address the issue of F&V intake in elderly hospitalized patients, for whom we felt F&Vs might be beneficial in association with a protein and energy-dense diet.

RECENT FINDINGS

In the community and in nursing homes, F&V consumption is associated with better overall food intake and improved quality of life in older patients.

SUMMARY

General inspection of the literature suggests that F&Vs may be beneficial to elderly hospitalized patients, but no clinical studies have been conducted. There is a need to address the question of the impact of improved quality and quantity of F&Vs on quality of life, total food intake and constipation, particularly in hospitalized elderly patients who often stay in hospital for long periods. Positive results might help to promote F&V consumption in diverse populations, with the objective of improving eating pleasure for better health.

Effectiveness of laxatives in elderly--a cross sectional study in nursing homes

Background

Laxatives are efficient drugs, but the effectiveness has been questioned. In nursing homes, the prevalence of constipation is high and laxatives are commonly used drugs. The aims of the study were to assess the effectiveness of laxative therapy in an everyday setting in Norwegian nursing homes, study differences between treatment regimens and factors associated with normal bowel function.

Methods

A cross-sectional study. After giving informed consent, residents above 60 years of age using laxatives for functional constipation were included, and their characteristics, medical history, use of drugs and bowel functions were recorded. Normal bowel function was defined as bowel movements from 3 times/week to 3 times/day and stool consistency 3-5 on Bristol Stool Form Scale.

Results

Out of 647 residents in the nursing homes, 197 were included and 116 (59%) had normal bowel function. The treatment effect did not differ significantly between the laxatives, treatment regimens or expected efficacy of the regimens. The treatment was unsatisfactorily adapted to individual needs. In subjects with normal bowel function, 113 (97%) had persistent complaints; 68 (59.5%), 10 (8.0%), 34 (28.6%) and 26 (22.5%) reported straining, manual manoeuvre to facilitate bowel movements, feeling of incomplete bowel movements, and feeling of anorectal obstruction respectively. Good nutritional status, previous or present cancer disease and anxiety/depression were predictors of normal bowel function.

Conclusions

Treatment of constipation in nursing homes was unsatisfactory. Nearly all patients with normal stool frequency and consistence had some persistent complaints. Improved nutrition and individualization of the treatment could improve the outcome.

Gastrointestinal issues in the older female patient

As the body ages, it undergoes a multitude of changes. Some of these changes are visible, whereas others are not and may be elicited during the patient encounter. Some gastrointestinal issues may be more common in the elderly population and possibly in older women. These issues range from motility disorders, such as fecal incontinence and constipation, to changes in neuropeptide function and its effect on the anorexia of aging. This article comprehensively reviews gastrointestinal issues that commonly afflict the elderly female population.

Aging of the human metaorganism: the microbial counterpart

Human beings have been recently reviewed as 'metaorganisms' as a result of a close symbiotic relationship with the intestinal microbiota. This assumption imposes a more holistic view of the ageing process where dynamics of the interaction between environment, intestinal microbiota and host must be taken into consideration. Age-related physiological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as modification in lifestyle, nutritional behaviour, and functionality of the host immune system, inevitably affect the gut microbial ecosystem. Here we review the current knowledge of the changes occurring in the gut microbiota of old people, especially in the light of the most recent applications of the modern molecular characterisation techniques. The hypothetical involvement of the age-related gut microbiota unbalances in the inflamm-aging, and immunosenescence processes will also be discussed. Increasing evidence of the importance of the gut microbiota homeostasis for the host health has led to the consideration of medical/nutritional applications of this knowledge through the development of probiotic and prebiotic preparations specific for the aged population. The results of the few intervention trials reporting the use of pro/prebiotics in clinical conditions typical of the elderly will be critically reviewed.

Update on the management of constipation in the elderly: new treatment options

Constipation disproportionately affects older adults, with a prevalences of 50% in community-dwelling elderly and 74% in nursing-home residents. Loss of mobility, medications, underlying diseases, impaired anorectal sensation, and ignoring calls to defecate are as important as dyssynergic defecation or irritable bowel syndrome in causing constipation. Detailed medical history on medications and co-morbid problems, and meticulous digital rectal examination may help identify causes of constipation. Likewise, blood tests and colonoscopy may identify organic causes such as colon cancer. Physiological tests such as colonic transit study with radio-opaque markers or wireless motility capsule, anorectal manometry, and balloon expulsion tests can identify disorders of colonic and anorectal function. However, in the elderly, there is usually more than one mechanism, requiring an individualized but multifactorial treatment approach. The management of constipation continues to evolve. Although osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol remain mainstay, several new agents that target different mechanisms appear promising such as chloride-channel activator (lubiprostone), guanylate cyclase agonist (linaclotide), 5HT₄ agonist (prucalopride), and peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists (alvimopan and methylnaltrexone) for opioid-induced constipation. Biofeedback therapy is efficacious for treating dyssynergic defecation and fecal impaction with soiling. However, data on efficacy and safety of drugs in elderly are limited and urgently needed.

Comparison of preference and safety of powder and liquid lactulose in adult patients with chronic constipation

Background:

Chronic constipation is an important clinical condition which can result in serious discomfort and even require hospitalization. Powder and liquid lactulose are designated as clinically equivalent for the treatment of constipation, but there are significant differences in the taste, consistency, and portability of the products, which may affect patient compliance and therefore clinical outcome.

Aim:

To evaluate patient preference between powder and liquid lactulose in terms of overall preference, taste, consistency, and portability, and safety in terms of adverse events.

Methods:

Three sites randomized patients (total n = 50) to powder or liquid lactulose for seven days with crossover. Patient preference was assessed by a questionnaire, and the occurrence of adverse events was monitored.

Results:

Of those expressing a preference, 44% and 57% more patients preferred the taste and consistency, respectively, of powder over liquid lactulose. More than six times as many patients preferred the portability of powder compared with liquid lactulose and, overall, 77% more patients preferred powder over liquid lactulose. There was no difference between treatment groups in terms of adverse events (P = 0.635).

Conclusions:

More patients preferred powder compared with liquid lactulose and the products were equally safe. These findings may impact patient compliance, and therefore may affect clinical outcome.