Candy, B., Jones, L., Larkin, P.J., Vickerstaff, V., Tookman, A., & Stone, P. (2015). Laxatives for the management of constipation in people receiving palliative care. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5, CD003448.
DOI Link
Purpose
STUDY PURPOSE: To update the review of information regarding the effectiveness of administrating laxatives for the management of constipation in people receiving palliative care
TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review
Search Strategy
DATABASES USED: CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBRASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science (SCI and CPCI-S) for trials to September 2014
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized, controlled trials; adults receiving palliative care
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies that included healthy volunteers
Literature Evaluated
TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: 175, five studies involving 370 people
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Two authors independently screened studies and discussed differences of opinion.
Sample Characteristics
FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 5
TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 370
Phase of Care and Clinical Applications
PHASE OF CARE: End-of-life care
APPLICATIONS: Palliative care
Results
No difference in effectiveness was demonstrated in lactulose compared with senna; senna plus lactulose compared with magnesium hydroxide plus liquid paraffin; misrakasneham compared with senna; and docusate plus senna compared with placebo plus senna.
Conclusions
The best laxatives for this patient population is unclear.
Limitations
Very few clinical trials effectively evaluated the use of laxatives in this patient population.
Nursing Implications
More RCTs are needed to help evaluate the effectiveness and improve the quality of care of patients in palliative care.
Legacy ID
5732