Prevalence, Recognition, and Risk Factors of Constipation among Medically Hospitalized Patients: A Cohort Prospective Study

Association Between Complementary Use of Daikenchuto (a Japanese Herbal Medicine) and Readmission in Older Patients With Heart Failure and Constipation

Background

Constipation commonly coexists with heart failure (HF) and can increase blood pressure because of straining during defecation and accompanying mental stress. Daikenchuto, a Japanese herbal medicine to ameliorate gastrointestinal motility, may be effective as a complement to laxatives in improving outcomes in patients with HF and constipation.

Methods and Results

We used the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database to identify patients aged ≥65 years who were admitted for HF, had constipation, and were discharged alive between April 2016 and March 2022. We divided the 115,544 eligible patients into 2 groups according to the prescription of Daikenchuto in addition to laxatives at discharge and compared the incidence of 1-year HF readmission using 1 : 4 propensity score matching. Daikenchuto was prescribed at discharge in 3,315 (2.9%) patients. In the unmatched cohort, patients treated with Daikenchuto were more often male and had a higher prevalence of malignancy than those treated without Daikenchuto. In the 1 : 4 propensity score-matched cohort (3,311 and 13,243 patients with and without Daikenchuto, respectively), no significant difference was noted in 1-year HF readmission between the groups (22.2% vs. 21.9%; hazard ratio=1.02, 95% confidence interval=0.94-1.11). This result was consistent across clinically relevant subgroups except for renal disease.

Conclusions

Complementary use of Daikenchuto in combination with laxatives was not associated with a lower incidence of HF readmission in patients with HF and constipation.

Association Between Coexisting Constipation and Heart Failure Readmission in Patients With Heart Failure - A Nationwide Database Study

Background

Constipation often coexists with heart failure (HF) and can cause increased blood pressure variability, which may increase the risk of repeated HF admissions. However, large-scale contemporary data regarding the prognostic effect of constipation in patients with HF are lacking.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively identified 556,792 patients admitted for HF for the first time and discharged alive in the fiscal years 2016-2021 using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. Constipation was defined as continued use of laxatives after discharge. We examined the association between constipation and 1-year HF readmission. The prevalence of constipation was 22.0% (n=122,670), which remained stable over the 6 years. Patients with constipation were older (82.7±10.1 vs. 79.3±12.8 years), more often female (53.5% vs. 48.0%), and received medications for HF more frequently at discharge compared with those without constipation. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, constipation was significantly associated with a higher incidence of 1-year HF readmission (24.0% vs. 18.6%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.10). This result was consistent with the result from the Fine-Gray model accounting for competing risk of death (subdistribution HR 1.08; 95% CI 1.06-1.09).

Conclusions

Constipation was associated with a higher risk of HF readmission after the first episode of HF hospitalization. Given the detrimental effect of constipation, further efforts are warranted to decrease constipation-related risk in patients with HF.

Prevalence of constipation and associated factors in university hospital inpatients

Objectives

We aimed to determine (1) the prevalence of constipation among inpatients, (2) the prevalence and symptoms of difficult defecation among constipated inpatients, and (3) the factors associated with constipation.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study over a single day at one university hospital. We analyzed the nursing records for inpatients who had been hospitalized for at least 3 days. The survey items included the symptoms associated with defecation difficulty and nutritional intake. The symptoms of difficult defecation were defined as (1) fewer than three spontaneous bowel movements per week; (2) lumpy or hard stools (Bristol stool form scale types 1-2); (3) straining during defecation; and (4) the sensation of incomplete evacuation during defecation, based on the Roma-IV diagnostic criteria. Constipation was defined as the presence of two or more symptoms of defecation difficulty. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the constipation status of the patients.

Results

The prevalence of constipation in the university hospital was 12.2%, and the department with the highest prevalence of difficulty with defecation was the Psychiatry Department (64.1%). Of the patients with constipation, 36.8% exhibited symptoms of defecation difficulty other than low frequency of defecation. The factor that was significantly associated with constipation after admission was pre-admission constipation (odds ratio=8.92, p<0.01).

Conclusions

Subjective assessment has limitations for the accurate determination of constipation status. In addition, patients with a history of constipation before admission require early interventions to aid defecation following their admission.

Improving the nursing quality of non-pharmacological interventions for elderly constipation patients in the hospital: a best practice implementation project

INTRODUCTION

Non-pharmacological interventions are the preferred treatment for constipation; however, health care professionals in clinical settings tend to focus more on pharmacological treatments.

OBJECTIVES

This best practice implementation project aimed to integrate the best evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for elderly patients with constipation in clinical care practice and to promote the use of non-pharmacological interventions for such patients in the hospital setting.

METHODS

This project is based on the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which follows three stages. The first stage involved a baseline audit using two audit criteria derived from the best available evidence. This audit evaluated current clinical scenarios, guided by the i-PARIHS framework. The second stage involved analyzing the results of the baseline audit, identifying barriers to compliance, and developing and implementing strategies to overcome those barriers. Strategies included nursing education, development of constipation information booklets for nurses and patients, establishment of a nursing workflow, and modification of the department environment. In the third stage, a follow-up audit was conducted to evaluate the implementation, using the same data collection indicators and methods as in the baseline audit. Sixty patients participated in the project.

RESULTS

Compliance for Criterion 1 (patient education) increased from 0% to 60% ( p  < 0.001), while compliance for Criterion 2 (monitoring patients' bowel health) increased from 0% to 100% ( p  < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that this evidence-based implementation project facilitated the application of non-pharmacological interventions for elderly patients with constipation. Nurses played a significant role in developing regular defecation habits in patients and monitoring their defecation.

SPANISH ABSTRACT

http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A284.

Acute diarrhea in the hospitalized immunocompromised patient: what is new on diagnostic and treatment?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article aims to provide an intuitive framework for diagnosing and managing healthcare-associated diarrhea (HCAD) in the immunocompromised (IC) host.

RECENT FINDINGS

Our understanding of diarrhea in hospitalized IC patients has significantly evolved. However, the challenge lies in distinguishing between these patients' numerous causes of diarrhea. The incorporation of gastrointestinal (GI) multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panels has led to a paradigm shift in our approach to diarrhea. However, using these panels judiciously is of utmost importance, as their misuse can lead to over-testing, overtreatment, and increased hospital costs. We propose a stepwise diagnostic algorithm that ensures diagnostic stewardship, optimal patient care, and resource utilization.

SUMMARY

Diarrhea is a common complication in hospitalized IC patients and is associated with significant morbidity and rare mortality. The advent of new diagnostics, such as GI multiplex PCR panels, holds promise in facilitating the detection of recognized pathogens and may allow for improved outcomes using pathogen-targeted therapy.

Impact of Constipation on Health Outcomes in Medically Hospitalized Patients: A Prospective Study on Laxative Use and Health Care Outcomes

Background and Objectives: Constipation affects health-related quality of life and increases hospital visits. We conducted this prospective cohort study to assess laxative use, health outcomes of constipation in medically hospitalized patients, and related health outcomes. Materials and Methods: A prospective single-center study included all adult patients admitted under the General Internal Medicine Unit from 1 February 2022, to 31 August 2022. Constipation was defined using the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS). Patients were assessed for 28 days during their hospital stay and up to 90 days post-discharge. Result: Among the included patients, 62.45% experienced constipation, which was associated with poor health outcomes including delirium (p = 0.048), intensive care admission (p < 0.01), cardiopulmonary arrest (p < 0.01), inpatient mortality (p < 0.01), longer hospital stay (p < 0.01), 90-day mortality (p < 0.01), and 90-day hospital readmission (p < 0.01). Laxative treatment was administered to only 33.93% of patients with constipation and was more commonly used among older patients (p < 0.01), those with high CAS scores (p < 0.01), longer hospital stays (p < 0.01), and critically ill patients (intensive care admission) (p = 0.01), as well as those who had cardiopulmonary arrest (p < 0.01) and high inpatient mortality (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study identified several associations between constipation and poor health outcomes and highlighted the underutilization of laxatives in treating constipation. It is vital to interpret our results with caution. Therefore, we believe that a randomized controlled trial will help enhance our understanding of the interaction between constipation, laxative use, and poor health outcomes.

Diminished representation of vitamin-B12-producing bacteria in constipated elders with frailty

Constipation and frailty are associated with intestinal dysbiosis. This study aims to identify intestinal microbial signatures that can differentiate between constipated elders accompanied by frailty and those without frailty. We collected stool samples from 61 participants and conducted 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Constipated patients with frailty (Constipation_F) exhibited reduced gut microbial diversities compared to constipated patients without frailty (Constipation_NF) and healthy individuals (C). From differential genera, random forest models identified 14, 8, and 5 biomarkers for distinguishing Constipation_F from Constipation_NF, Constipation_F from C, and Constipation_NF from C, respectively. Functional analysis revealed that pathways (P381-PWY and PWY-5507) related to vitamin B12 synthesis were reduced in Constipation_F, which aligns with the decreased abundances of vitamin-B12-producing Actinomyces and Akkermansia in this group. Our study unveils substantial differences in gut microbiota between constipated elders with frailty and those without, underscoring the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of genera involved in vitamin B12 synthesis.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict the risk of constipation after lumbar interbody fusion surgery

INTRODUCTION

To understand the incidence of postoperative constipation and the risk factors of constipation in patients with lumbar interbody fusion, we constructed and verified the constipation risk prediction model, so as to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of postoperative constipation.

METHODS

The data of patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed from December 2021 to December 2022. According to postoperative constipation, the patients were divided into constipation group and non-constipation group. Univariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine independent risk factors for postoperative constipation. Based on independent risk factors, a nomogram was developed to predict the risk of constipation after lumbar interbody fusion. The prediction performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA). Finally, bootstrapping method for internal validation was further evaluated the nomogram.

RESULTS

A total of 282 patients participated in the study. 176 patients (62.41%) after lumbar interbody occurred constipation, and 106 patients were asymptomatic. Multivariate regression analysis showed independent risk factors, including the use of calcium channel blockers, polypharmacy, postoperative bed time, and constipation history. Multivariate regression analysis was used to establish the model. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.827 (95% CI 0.779-0.875), and the C-index of interval bootstrapping validation was 0.813 (95% CI 0.765-0.861), and the area under the AUC was 0.800. The nomogram showed good discrimination ability.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of calcium channel blockers, polypharmacy, postoperative bed time, and history of constipation are independent risk factors for postoperative constipation in patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion. The constructed risk prediction model has good discriminative ability.

Comparing the short-term clinical outcomes and therapeutic effects of different colectomies in patients with refractory slow-transit constipation in eastern countries: a network meta-analysis

Surgical treatment has been widely used in patients with refractory slow transit constipation (RSTC). The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare the effects of different colectomies on short-term postoperative complications and quality of life in patients with RSTC. Electronic literature searches were performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, WANFANG DATA, and Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials databases and were searched up to December 2022. Selected to compare the short-term clinical outcomes and quality of life of the treatment of RSTC. A random-effects Bayesian NMA was conducted to assess and rank the effectiveness of different surgical modalities. This study included a total of six non-randomized controlled trials involving 336 subjects. It was found that subtotal colectomy with cecorectal anastomosis (CRA) demonstrated superior effectiveness in several aspects, including reduced hospital stay (MD 0.06; 95% CI [0.02, 1.96]), shorter operative time (MD 4.75; 95% CI [0.28, 14.07]), lower constipation index (MD 0.61; 95% CI [0.04, 1.71]), improved quality of life (MD 4.42; 95% CI [0.48, 4.42]). Additionally, in terms of short-term clinical outcomes, subtotal colectomy with ileosigmoidal anastomosis (SC-ISA) procedure ranked the highest in reducing small bowel obstruction (OR 0.24; 95% CI [0.02, 0.49]), alleviating abdominal pain (OR 0.53; 95% CI [0.05, 1.14]), minimizing abdominal distension (OR 0.33; 95% CI [0.02, 0.65]), and reducing incision infection rates (OR 0.17; 95% CI [0.01, 0.33]). Furthermore, SC-ISA ranked as the best approach in terms of patient satisfaction (OR 0.66; 95% CI [0.02, 1.46]). Based on our research findings, we recommend that CRA be considered as the preferred treatment approach for patients diagnosed with RSTC.