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Effectiveness of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum in Reducing Constipation in Long Term Care Facility Residents: A Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial

  • Original Research
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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

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Abstract

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) in improving constipation and reducing the use of laxatives among long term care facility (LTCF) residents.

Design

A single-center, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blinded parallel-group trial from September 2021 to November 2021.

Setting

Four LTCF in Hong Kong.

Participants

Fifty-two LTCF residents with chronic constipation (mean age: 83.9±7.6 years, male 38%).

Intervention

5g PHGG mixed with 200ml water per day for 4 weeks was given to intervention group participants. Control group received 200ml water for 4 weeks. Participants continued their usual as-needed laxative (lactulose, senna or dulcolax) on their own initiative.

Measurements

Baseline measurements included age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, Roackwood’s Clinical Frailty Scale, body mass index and daily dietary fiber intake. Outcome measures were fecal characteristics assessed by Bristol Stool Form Scale, bowel opening frequency and laxative use frequency at baseline, first, second, third and fourth week of trial. Adverse events were measured. The study was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov; identifier: NCT 05037565.

Results

There was no significant difference in bowel frequency and stool characteristics between the treatment group and control group. However, there was a significantly lower frequency of lactulose, senna, and total laxative use in the treatment group compared with controls in the third and fourth week. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between the two groups.

Conclusion

This study showed that daily dietary fibre supplementation by using PHGG for 4 weeks in LTCF residents results in significantly less laxative use than placebo. It may be an effective way to reduce laxative dependence among older people living in LTCFs.

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Acknowledgements and funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Research Matching Grant Scheme of the University Grants Committee from the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region [Grant ID: 207300993], which partially supported the study financially.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Fung Yiu King Hospital, 9 Sandy Bay Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China

    Tuen-Ching Chan & J. K. H. Luk

  2. Department Manager (Dietetics), Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China

    V. M. W. Yu

  3. Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    L. W. Chu & F. H. W. Chan

  4. Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    J. K. Y. Yuen

Authors
  1. Tuen-Ching Chan
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  2. V. M. W. Yu
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  3. J. K. H. Luk
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  4. L. W. Chu
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  5. J. K. Y. Yuen
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  6. F. H. W. Chan
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Contributions

Study concept, design and participant recruitments: TC Chan, JKY Yuen, JKH Luk, FHW Chan. Data collection: TC Chan, VMW Yu. Analysis and interpretation of data: TC Chan, LW Chu, VMV Yu. Preparation of paper: TC Chan, JKH Luk, LW Chu, FHW Chan.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tuen-Ching Chan.

Ethics declarations

The research was approved by the Institutional Review Board of The University of Hong Kong. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Chan, TC., Yu, V.M.W., Luk, J.K.H. et al. Effectiveness of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum in Reducing Constipation in Long Term Care Facility Residents: A Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Nutr Health Aging 26, 247–251 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-022-1747-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-022-1747-2

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