Daily laxative therapy reduces organ dysfunction in mechanically ventilated patients: a phase II randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Constipation is a common problem in intensive care units. We assessed the efficacy and safety of laxative therapy aiming to promote daily defecation in reducing organ dysfunction in mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled, nonblinded phase II clinical trial at two general intensive care units. Patients expected to remain ventilated for over 3 days were randomly assigned to daily defecation or control groups. The intervention group received lactulose and enemas to produce 1-2 defecations per day. In the control group, absence of defecation was tolerated up to 5 days. Primary outcome was the change in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score between the date of enrollment and intensive care unit discharg

SUBMITTER: de Azevedo RP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4572636 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature