Can less be better? Is it possible to improve constipation symptom control in palliative care patients when the underlying causes of bowel dysfunction are objectively assessed?

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Constipation; Oral and Gastrointestinal - Other diseases of the mouth, teeth, oesophagus, digestive system including liver and colon

• Registration Number: ACTRN12611000705987
• Lead Sponsor: Flinders University

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2011-07-08
• Last Update Posted: 13 January 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Stopped early
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 210

Inclusion Criteria

Life-limiting disease
Aged 18 years or older
Regular use of laxatives
Already receiving one or more laxatives for at least 48 hours, as suggested in the Australian Palliative Care Therapeutic Guidelines
Sufficient proficiency in English to provide consent, complete the study questionnaires and telephone interviews
Willing and able to undertake diagnostic interventions
Able to give fully informed written consent

Exclusion Criteria

Short-term constipation due to problems such hypercalcaemia or vinca alkylating agents occurring within one month of study
History of bowel obstruction or at high risk of bowel obstruction (peritoneal disease)
History of bowel surgery
Local conditions of the peri-anal area and rectum that would contribute to pain on defecation, require specialist interventions and therefore preclude the necessary investigatons to continue on this study including faecal impaction, anal fissure, haemorrhoids, anal prolapse or rectocele >2cm in size
Thrombocytopenia of <50,000 platelets per microlitre precluding rectal interventions
Allergy to latex
Participants who have participated in a clinical study of a new laxative within one month prior to study entry
Women who are pregnant. Patients at risk of pregnancy must have appropriate and effective contraceptive in place (or appropriate advice from their doctor regarding appropriate birth control)
Any other condition that would interfere with study procedures or assessments in the opinion of the investigators

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified