Comparison of Chang Run Tong and Forlaxin Treatment of Constipation in Elderly Diabetic Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Constipation is quite common and has impact on life quality in the elderly diabetic patients; therefore it is important to seek better treatments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Chang Run Tong (CRT) decoction on constipation in elderly diabetic patients in comparison with the effect of Macrogol 4000 powder (Forlax). DESIGN: This study was designed as a prospective study consisting of two parallel arms: CRT group and Forlax group. SETTINGS/LOCATION: The study was conducted in China-Japan Hospital. Subject interventions: Eighty elderly diabetic patients with constipation were evaluated, among them 52 patients were treated with CRT and 28 patients were treated with Forlax. OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients were interviewed for Bristol stool scale, spontaneous complete bowel movements (SCBM) and symptoms of defecation feeling, defecation weakness, feeling of incomplete evacuation, bloating, and flatulence at different time points. The changes of all above parameters from treatment for 2 and 4 weeks and follow-up for 1 and 2 months with reference to the baseline (before treatment) were compared between CRT and Forlax treatments. The treatment efficiency was evaluated and compared between two different treatments. RESULTS: For the improvement of Bristol stool scale, SCBM and feeling of incomplete evacuation, CRT was significantly better than Forlax at different time points (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). For the symptoms of defecation feeling, defecation weakness, bloating, and flatulence, CRT was significantly better than Forlax for follow-up improvement (p < 0.01, p < 0.001); whereas no difference was found at other time points of the treatment (p > 0.05). Furthermore, CRT had a significantly better treatment efficiency than Forlax (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both CRT and Forlax treatment could effectively improve bowel habits and symptoms of constipation in elderly diabetic patients. CRT was better than Forlax to treat constipation in elderly diabetic patients and had better follow-up improvement after stopping drugs.