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