ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacies of electroacupuncture and Prucalopride succinate tablets in treating functional constipation.MethodForty patients were randomized into two groups, 20 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by electroacupuncture, and the control group was byoral administration of Prucalopride succinate tablets. The major symptoms scores, stool shape score, serum substance P (SP), and somotostatin (SS) were observed.ResultAfter treatment, there were no significant inter-group differences in comparing the changes of defecation frequency and difficulty scores (P>0.05), while there were significant inter-group differences in comparing the changes of incomplete bowel evacuation sensation, abdominal pain, and stool shape scores (P0.05).ConclusionElectroacupuncture and Prucalopride succinate tablets can produce equivalent efficacies in treating functional constipation, and have their own advantages in improving the relevant symptoms. Therefore, treatment should be chosen according to the disease condition.
ABSTRACT
Background: The implications of defaecation patterns to health are important. The abnormalities can be readily recognized and treated only if the normal pattern is known. Methods: This cross sectional study involved 1115 adolescents enrolled using a stratified multi-stage random sampling technique. A self-administered and semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on stool frequency, volume, colour and consistency. Data were compared between low and high across socioeconomic strata. Results: There were 481 males (overall mean age: 15.2+1.9 years). Participants were on mixed carbohydrate rich diet with both high and low fibre content.. Stool frequency was at least once daily in 77.3%, once in alternate days (17.4%) and once in >3days (5.3%). There was no association between stool frequency and gender (p=0.141) or age (p=0.345). More participants from the high (64.9%) than the low (35.1%) social classes opened their bowels once in >3days (p=0.048). More males produced larger stool volumes (>200ml) than females, (p=0.000). More than half (50.5%) of the participants reported passing brownish stool, 46.3% yellow stool and 3.2% greenish brown stool. Passage of soft stool was reported by 74.9% of the participants. Overall, 3.4% of participants had passed blood in their stool at some time. Conclusion: Majority of Nigerian adolescents passed 25-200 ml of soft stool atleast once daily and age and gender did not affect stool frequency. High socioeconomic status was associated with passage of hard stool and less frequent bowel opening. This data could facilitate early recognition of deviation from normal bowel habits in Nigerian adolescents.