Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Polyethylene glycol 4000 for slow transit constipation.
Slow transit constipation is notoriously difficult to treat. We tested whether polyethylene glycole 4000 (PEG) improves slow transit constipation. Eight female outpatients with symptoms of constipation and a colonic marker transit of more than 60 h were included (age 46 +/- 4y, duration of complaints 17 +/- 3y) in a randomised controlled cross-over study. ⋯ Visual analog scale ratings improved from -4.65, [-8; 0.5] to 4.65, [-8; 7.5]cm (median, range) (p = 0.028), the self-administered dose of sodium picosulfate decreased from 4, [0; 37] to 0, [0; 11] drops per day (p = 0.028), stool frequency increased from 3.1, [1; 30] to 11, [2; 33] defeacations per week (p = 0.017), and total colonic transit decreased from 91, [67; 116] to 43 h, [17; 76]h (p = 0.017). In conclusion, PEG improves colonic function in patients with slow transit constipation subjectively and objectively. PEG should be considered as an additional option in patients refractory to established forms of treatment.