Comparison of the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol with and without electrolytes in the treatment of chronic constipation

Introduction: To compare the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol with and without electrolytes (EL) over a 12 week period in treatment of chronic constipation in paediatrics. Material and methods: This was an observational, prospective, longitudinal, parallel group study, including 62 ch...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Llerena ED, Varea Calderón V, Pujol-Muncunill G, Hernandez Hernandez K, Sosa Giraldo FJ, Suarez Fuentes T, Martín de Carpi J
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2016
País:España
Institución:Fundació Sant Joan de Déu
Repositorio:r-FSJD. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica de la Fundació Sant Joan de Déu
OAI Identifier:oai:fsjd.fundanetsuite.com:p8595
Acceso en línea:https://fsjd.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=8595
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Constipation
Laxatives
Polyethylene glycol
Treatment of constipation
Descripción
Sumario:Introduction: To compare the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol with and without electrolytes (EL) over a 12 week period in treatment of chronic constipation in paediatrics. Material and methods: This was an observational, prospective, longitudinal, parallel group study, including 62 children with chronic constipation according to ROME III criteria and a history of faecal impaction. The children were divided into groups, one group of 30 received polyethylene glycol without EL (PEG) and 32 PEG with EL (PEG + EL) for at least 12 weeks. The main outcomes were the number of bowel movements at 6 and 12 weeks, and the presence of electrolyte disturbances at 6 weeks. Results: The mean weekly stool frequencies were similar in both groups at 6 and 12 weeks, with 5.4 and 4.6 stools per week in the PEG + EL and PEG groups, respectively at 12 weeks. After 6 weeks of treatment, 83% (25 of 30) of the PEG group had at least one electrolyte disturbance compared with 56% (18 of 32) in the PEG + EL group (P=.02). Hyponatraemia was found in 15% (5 of 32) vs. 36% (11 of 30) of PEG + EL and PEG groups, respectively (P=.05). None of the laboratory abnormalities were clinically relevant. Conclusions: PEG formulations with or without EL have a quite similar effectiveness, safety and acceptability. PEG without EL produced more electrolyte abnormalities, but none of them were symptomatic. (C) 2015 Asociacion Espanola de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.