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Use of fiber instead of laxative treatment in a geriatric hospital to improve the wellbeing of seniors

  • Use of Fiber Instead of Laxative Treatment in a Geriatric Hospital
  • Published:
JNHA - The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging

Abstract

Introduction

Constipation is a common problem in the elderly population, especially in geriatric wards. Laxatives are the most preferred solution but current studies link constipation and laxative use to weight-loss and malnutrition in nursing homes. Dietary fibers also affect stool weight and transit time. So, oat-bran effectiveness in reducing the need for bowel medication and weight-loss for geriatric care patients was examined in a geriatric hospital.

Aim

To determine whether the addition of oat-bran to common oral diet can reduce the use of laxatives and improve the wellbeing and bodyweight of the inhabitants of a long-term-care facility.

Methods

The study was designed as a controlled blind intervention trial among 30 frail inhabitants of a geriatric hospital aged 57–100 years with laxative use. Including criteria were: oral food intake and laxatives as therapy and excluding criteria were: parenteral and enteral feeding, surgeries in the gastro- intestinal tract, drugs that shorten or lengthen the passage through the gut, risk of aspiration, swallowing troubles. An intervention and a control group were formed. 15 of them received 7–8g oat-bran/d for 12 weeks (fiber group) mixed up in the daily common diet of the ward and 15 served as control (control group). Data collection: Bodyweight was taken at baseline, after 6 weeks and at the end of the supplementation. Data on laxative use, stool frequency and the eating habits of the elderly were recorded.

Results

Laxatives were successfully discontinued by 59% (p<0.001) in the fiber-group; in the control-group there was an increase of 8% (p=0,218). Bodyweight remained constant in the fiber-group and decreased in the control-group (p=0,002). The oat-fiber supplementation in the introduced form was well tolerated.

Conclusions

Use of oat-fiber allowed discontinuation of laxatives by 59% while improving body-weight and wellbeing of the seniors. Fiber supplementation is a safe and convenient alternative to laxatives in a geriatric hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    B. Sturtzel & I. Elmadfa

  2. “Haus der Barmherzigkeit”, Geriatric Hospital, Vienna, Austria

    C. Mikulits & C. Gisinger

  3. Department of Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    I. Elmadfa

Authors
  1. B. Sturtzel
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  2. C. Mikulits
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  3. C. Gisinger
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  4. I. Elmadfa
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Correspondence to I. Elmadfa.

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Sturtzel, B., Mikulits, C., Gisinger, C. et al. Use of fiber instead of laxative treatment in a geriatric hospital to improve the wellbeing of seniors. J Nutr Health Aging 13, 136–139 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-009-0020-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-009-0020-2

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