• E C Davies, C F Green, D R Mottram, and M Pirmohamed.
• Department of Pharmacy, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L15 4JT, UK. e.c.davies@2005.ljmu.ac.uk
• J Clin Pharm Ther. 2008 Oct 1;33(5):561-6.

Background And ObjectiveConstipation is one of the most frequent adverse drug reactions occurring in hospital inpatients. There is no evidence base for the use of laxatives in orthopaedic patients on opioids. The aim of the study was to determine the current nature of opioid and laxative prescribing, and the incidence of constipation in patients who require emergency neck-of-femur (NOF) surgery.MethodsPatients admitted to the Royal Liverpool Hospital for emergency surgery for fractured NOF over an 8-week period in 2007 were included in the study. All opioid and laxative prescribing was recorded, alongside the incidence of constipation, nutritional status and mobility.ResultsDuring the study period, 46 patients were eligible for inclusion. All patients received opioid analgesics. Constipation occurred in 33 patients (71.7%). Prophylactic laxatives were prescribed in 20 (43%) patients, 12 of whom developed constipation. Of the 26 (57%) patients not prescribed prophylaxis, 21 developed constipation (chi(2) = 2.3, P < 0.1 NS). Constipated patients were older (86 years vs. 76 years) (U = 112.5, P < 0.05), and had poorer nutritional status (2/13 vs. 16/33) (chi(2) = 4.28, P < 0.05), than patients without constipation.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that age and nutritional status are significant factors influencing the occurrence of constipation, though the prophylactic use of laxatives did not alleviate the incidence of constipation. There is a clinical need to develop a robust evidence base surrounding the best management of constipation in this vulnerable group of orthopaedic patients.

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