Fruit and fibre (Pajala porridge) in the prevention of constipation.
Scand J Caring Sci
; 19(1): 71-6, 2005 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15737169
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Constipation is a common problem in geriatric wards and in the elderly population. Although high-fibre diets can help relieve constipation non-pharmacologically in many patients, traditional laxatives still remain the standard treatment. A fibre supplement in the form of raw bran is not always well tolerated. We wanted to study the effects of a daily consumption of a fruit- and fibre-rich porridge on stool frequency, perceived well-being and the costs for laxatives, when compared with traditional treatment with laxatives, in geriatric patients.METHODS:
Twenty patients in secondary geriatric wards (hospital rehabilitation wards) were randomized into an intervention group (porridge group) and a control group (standard diet without porridge) for a 1-week run-in and 2-week study, with registration of clinical data, e.g. medical treatment, laxative consumption, stool frequency and perceived well-being.RESULTS:
The patients in the porridge group had a daily defaecation without laxatives on average 76% of the time (10.7/14 days) compared with 23% of the time (3.3/14 days) in the non-porridge group (p = 0.003). The discomfort was less in the porridge group (2.5 vs. 6.5 on a 10-degree visual analogue scale, p = 0.008) when compared with the control group. The cost for laxatives was 93% lower in the intervention group (2.5 vs. 37.5) for the 2-week study.CONCLUSIONS:
A fibre-rich porridge was effective, well liked and tolerated and reduced the need for laxatives in geriatric patients. We conclude that a daily fibre-rich meal ought to be included in the treatment strategies of constipation in hospital wards.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Fibras na Dieta
/
Grão Comestível
/
Constipação Intestinal
/
Frutas
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Health_economic_evaluation
Limite:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Scand J Caring Sci
Assunto da revista:
ENFERMAGEM
Ano de publicação:
2005
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Suécia