No abstract

Thirty geriatric long-stay patients aged 65-94 years (mean 81.8) participated in the trial the aim of which was to examine bulk laxative plus senna (Agiolax®) in the treatment of chronic constipation using lactulose (Levolac®) as a reference medicine. Bulk laxative plus senna (daily dosis 14.8 g) produced more frequent (p < 0.05) bowel habits (4.5 vs. 2.2-1.9/week) than lactulose (daily dosis 20.1 g). Both laxatives proved to be safe to use. Our study indicated bulk laxative plus senna to be more efficient in treating constipation in geriatric long-stay patients.

In a crossover study the effects of magnesium hydroxide on serum lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins A and E, uric acid and whole blood minerals were compared with those of a bulk laxative containing plantago rind and sorbitol in 64 constipated, elderly long-stay patients, 55 of whom were receiving diuretics. Hypomagnesaemia occurred in 11 (17%) patients after bulk laxative and in two (2%) patients after magnesium hydroxide treatment. There was a slight reduction in low values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high values of triglycerides after magnesium hydroxide treatment. There were no significant differences in plasma lipids, whole blood minerals or vitamins A and E using either laxative. Negative correlations were found between the increase in serum concentrations of magnesium and glycosylated haemoglobin A1 (P less than 0.02) and the serum level of uric acid (P less than 0.01). These results suggest that the long-term effects of magnesium hydroxide and bulk laxative on the absorption of nutrients may not be significantly different. Magnesium hydroxide, however, may have beneficial effects on lipid disorders, impaired glucose tolerance and hyperuricaemia in magnesium deficiency due to diuretics and thus may be a favourable laxative for use in bedridden geriatric patients receiving diuretics.

ABSTRACT. This study was undertaken to investigate the possible carry‐over effect on elderly long‐term patients of bulk‐forming products containing stimulant type laxatives. Thirty 48 patients received magnesium hydroxide daily for a mean period of 10 months prior to the study, and 23 patients received bulk laxatives containing cassiae senna daily for a mean period of 13 months prior to the study. The pre‐study laxatives were randomly changed either to magnesium hydroxide or to bulk laxatives. In the patient group receiving a bulk‐forming product containing stimulant type laxative long‐term prior to the study, the need for additional stimulant laxatives during the pure bulk laxative (3.0 vs. 3.8/4 weeks, NS) or magnesium hydroxide treatment (2.6 vs. 2.7/4 weeks, NS) was not more frequent and the frequency of defaecation was not lower than in the patients (during bulk laxative 11.2 vs. 9.3/4 weeks, NS and during magnesium hydroxide 12.0 vs. 13.714 weeks, NS) who received long‐term magnesium hydroxide treatment prior to the study. Thus, our data indicated no carry‐over effect after the use of bulk‐forming laxatives containing senna for 13 months in elderly long‐term patients.