Clinical and economic impact of using macrogol 3350 plus electrolytes in an outpatient setting compared to enemas and suppositories and manual evacuation to treat paediatric faecal impaction based on actual clinical practice in England and Wales

Strategies used for childhood chronic functional constipation: the SUCCESS evidence synthesis

Background

Up to 30% of children have constipation at some stage in their life. Although often short-lived, in one-third of children it progresses to chronic functional constipation, potentially with overflow incontinence. Optimal management strategies remain unclear.

Objective

To determine the most effective interventions, and combinations and sequences of interventions, for childhood chronic functional constipation, and understand how they can best be implemented.

Methods

Key stakeholders, comprising two parents of children with chronic functional constipation, two adults who experienced childhood chronic functional constipation and four health professional/continence experts, contributed throughout the research. We conducted pragmatic mixed-method reviews. For all reviews, included studies focused on any interventions/strategies, delivered in any setting, to improve any outcomes in children (0-18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of chronic functional constipation (excluding studies of diagnosis/assessment) included. Dual reviewers applied inclusion criteria and assessed risk of bias. One reviewer extracted data, checked by a second reviewer. Scoping review: We systematically searched electronic databases (including Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) (January 2011 to March 2020) and grey literature, including studies (any design) reporting any intervention/strategy. Data were coded, tabulated and mapped. Research quality was not evaluated. Systematic reviews of the evidence of effectiveness: For each different intervention, we included existing systematic reviews judged to be low risk of bias (using the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Systematic Reviews), updating any meta-analyses with new randomised controlled trials. Where there was no existing low risk of bias systematic reviews, we included randomised controlled trials and other primary studies. The risk of bias was judged using design-specific tools. Evidence was synthesised narratively, and a process of considered judgement was used to judge certainty in the evidence as high, moderate, low, very low or insufficient evidence. Economic synthesis: Included studies (any design, English-language) detailed intervention-related costs. Studies were categorised as cost-consequence, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility or cost-benefit, and reporting quality evaluated using the consensus health economic criteria checklist. Systematic review of implementation factors: Included studies reported data relating to implementation barriers or facilitators. Using a best-fit framework synthesis approach, factors were synthesised around the consolidated framework for implementation research domains.

Results

Stakeholders prioritised outcomes, developed a model which informed evidence synthesis and identified evidence gaps.

Scoping review

651 studies, including 190 randomised controlled trials and 236 primary studies, conservatively reported 48 interventions/intervention combinations.

Effectiveness systematic reviews

studies explored service delivery models (n = 15); interventions delivered by families/carers (n = 32), wider children's workforce (n = 21), continence teams (n = 31) and specialist consultant-led teams (n = 42); complementary therapies (n = 15); and psychosocial interventions (n = 4). One intervention (probiotics) had moderate-quality evidence; all others had low to very-low-quality evidence. Thirty-one studies reported evidence relating to cost or resource use; data were insufficient to support generalisable conclusions. One hundred and six studies described implementation barriers and facilitators.

Conclusions

Management of childhood chronic functional constipation is complex. The available evidence remains limited, with small, poorly conducted and reported studies. Many evidence gaps were identified. Treatment recommendations within current clinical guidelines remain largely unchanged, but there is a need for research to move away from considering effectiveness of single interventions. Clinical care and future studies must consider the individual characteristics of children.

Study registration

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42019159008.

Funding

This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 128470) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 5. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Saudi Experts Consensus on Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Functional Constipation

Although functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are very common in pediatric patients, there is a scarcity of published epidemiologic data, characteristics, and management patterns from Saudi Arabia, which is the 2nd largest Arabic country in terms of area and the 6th largest Arabic country in terms of population, with 10% of its population aged <5 years. Functional constipation (FC) is an FGID that has shown a rising prevalence among Saudi infants and children in the last few years, which urges us to update our clinical practices. Nine pediatric consultants attended two advisory board meetings to discuss and address current challenges, provide solutions, and reach a Saudi national consensus for the management of pediatric constipation. The pediatric consultants agreed that pediatricians should pay attention to any alarming signs (red flags) found during history taking or physical examinations. They also agreed that the Rome IV criteria are the gold standard for the diagnosis of pediatric FC. Different therapeutic options are available for pediatric patients with FC. Dietary treatment is recommended for infants with constipation for up to six months of age. When non-pharmacological interventions fail to improve FC symptoms, pharmacological treatment with laxatives is indicated. First, the treatment is aimed at disimpaction to remove fecal masses. This is achieved by administering a high dose of oral polyethylene glycol (PEG) or lactulose for a few days. Subsequently, maintenance therapy with PEG should be initiated to prevent the re-accumulation of feces. In addition to PEG, several other options may be used, such as Mg-rich formulas or stimulant laxatives. However, rectal enemas and suppositories are usually reserved for cases that require acute pain relief. In contrast, infant formulas that contain prebiotics or probiotics have not been shown to be effective in infant constipation, while the use of partially hydrolyzed formula is inconclusive. These clinical practice recommendations are intended to be adopted by pediatricians and primary care physicians across Saudi Arabia.

Polyethylene Glycol Plus Electrolytes with Stimulant Laxative in Paediatric Faecal Disimpaction: A Randomised Controlled Study

Functional constipation is common in the paediatric population all over the world. Effective disimpaction to evacuate the impacted faecal matter forms an essential initial step in the management of constipation. Though different regimens of polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes (PEG+E) are accepted as the prime medication for disimpaction, response is not always satisfactory. A randomised prospective study was undertaken, in a tertiary paediatric Gastroenterology centre to find out the outcome of a 2-day disimpaction when a stimulant laxative sodium picosulphate was added to PEG3350+E (PEG+E+PS group) and comparing it with the outcome using PEG3350+E (PEG+E group) alone. Hundred and one children were randomised into two groups to receive PEG+E+PS and PEG+E. Results revealed that PEG+E+PS group proved significantly superior to PEG+E group in most of the efficacy-parameters in terms of disimpaction as well as long-term management of constipation. Though stimulant laxatives are being used for disimpaction, comparative data are lacking. This was the 1st such comparative study looking at the efficacy of these two processes of disimpaction along with long term effect on treatment.

Physical Therapy for a Child With Encopresis: A Case Report

PURPOSE

To describe the implementation and effectiveness of a multimodal therapeutic approach used to successfully treat a child with encopresis.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

The child demonstrated chronic constipation, poor pelvic floor muscle awareness, weakness, and incoordination during voiding. He participated in 8 sessions of physical therapy intervention including pelvic floor muscle awareness, strengthening and coordination exercises, behavioral adaptations, diet modification, and use of media, art, and interactive visualization activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The child improved pelvic floor muscle strength and coordination and became fully continent of bowel in home and community settings.

WHAT THIS CASE ADDS TO EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE

This case report demonstrates that pediatric age-appropriate educational and motivational tools (media, art, and interactive visualization activities) are readily available, economical, and effective when used in conjunction with current practice to decrease impairments and improve active participation and compliance during treatment of retentive encopresis in the pediatric population.

Yield and Examiner Dependence of Digital Rectal Examination in Detecting Impaction in Pediatric Functional Constipation

OBJECTIVES

Guidelines on functional constipation recommend digital rectal examination (DRE) when constipation is doubtful or with a suspicion of organic etiology. The guidelines do not clarify if DRE is mandatory to diagnose impaction. This study aims to determine the frequency of impaction detectable only on DRE among children satisfying Rome III criteria without requiring DRE and also the inter-observer influences on impaction detection by DRE.

METHODS

Children between 6 months to 13 years of age, presenting with history suggestive of constipation were assessed. After excluding those with suspicion of organic etiology, those who needed DRE for diagnosis of constipation and those who do not satisfy Rome III criteria without DRE, the rest who satisfied Rome III criteria were assessed for impaction by palpable fecoliths or constipation-associated fecal incontinence. Those without such impaction were randomized to 2 examiners for DRE to diagnose impaction, in the absence of contraindications.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty-three children were assessed. One hundred and sixty-nine satisfied Rome III without needing DRE. Forty-eight (28.4%) had impaction detectable without DRE. Among the rest, 28 (30.1%) had impaction by DRE. There was no difference between the frequency of impaction detected by the 2 examiners. Clinical characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) between those with impaction detectable by DRE and those without.

CONCLUSIONS

DRE does detect cases of impaction not discernible by other means. Such a finding may be comparable between examiners. These children may be identified by other clinical characteristics. The clinical significance of such a finding needs more understanding from the standpoint of therapeutic choices.

Constipation-Related Health Care Utilization in Children Before and After Hospitalization for Constipation

We studied constipation-related health care among children before and after constipation admission. Index admissions for constipation in 2010-2011 were identified in the Truven Marketscan Database, which includes children receiving Medicaid in 10 states. We measured number of and spending for outpatient constipation visits 12 months before and after index hospitalizations. We also measured spending for constipation hospitalizations and rehospitalization rate. There were 780 index constipation admissions. The median number of outpatient constipation visits was 1 (interquartile range [IQR] = 0, 3) in the 12 months before and 2 (IQR [0, 4]) after admission ( P = .001). Median outpatient spending for constipation was $110 (IQR [0, 429]) before and $132 (IQR [0, 431]) after admission ( P = .2). Median spending for index constipation admissions was $5295 (IQR [2756, 8267]); 78 children (10%) were rehospitalized for constipation within 12 months. Constipation-related health care utilization increased after constipation admission. Median spending for one constipation admission was 50 times the median spending for 12 months of outpatient constipation visits.

Approach to Constipation in Children

PURPOSE

There is a scarcity of literature, and prevalent misconceptions about constipation in India.

METHODS

A literature search in PubMed was conducted with regard to epidemiology, clinical features, and management of constipation. Special emphasis was paid to functional constipation and refractory constipation. English language studies available full text over the last 25 years were considered and relevant information was extracted.

CONCLUSIONS

Estimated prevalence of constipation is 3% among toddlers and pre-school children worldwide and 95%, of them are considered functional. A careful history and thorough physical examination is all that is required to diagnose functional constipation. Management includes disimpaction followed by maintenance therapy with oral laxative, dietary modification and toilet training. A close and regular follow-up is necessary for successful treatment. In most of the cases laxative needs to be continued for several months and sometimes years. Early withdrawal of laxative is the commonest cause of recurrence. Refractory constipation is less common in primary care set up. Radiological colon transit study is useful in picking up Slow transit constipation. Antegrade continence enema plays an important role in the management of slow transit constipation.

Free fatty acid suppositories are as effective as docusate sodium and sorbitol enemas in treating constipation in children

AIM

A well-documented, clinically proven per rectum treatment for childhood constipation is needed. This phase two clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of suppositories containing free fatty acids (FFA) compared with Klyx docusate sodium and sorbitol enemas.

METHODS

A randomised, controlled, single-blind study was undertaken on 77 children aged between one and 17 who presented to an emergency department in Iceland and were diagnosed with constipation. In stage one, 23 patients were randomised to receive lower dose FFA suppositories or Klyx (n = 33). In stage two, 21 different patients were randomised to receive higher dose suppositories and compared with the same Klyx control subjects.

RESULTS

The suppositories were effective at bowel emptying in 39% of the group who received the lower FFA doses and 81% of the group receiving higher doses, compared with 88% in the Klyx control group. Symptom relief was obtained in 30% of the group receiving the lower doses and 71% of the group receiving the higher doses, compared with 73% in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The higher dose FFA suppositories were as effective as the Klyx enemas with regard to bowel emptying and symptom relief and might provide an important and less invasive alternative for childhood constipation.

Polyethylene glycol: a game-changer laxative for children

Constipation is a common problem in children worldwide. It can also be a chronic problem persisting for many months to years. Successful treatment of constipation requires long-term use of laxatives. Commonly used laxatives in children include milk of magnesia, lactulose, mineral oil, and polyethylene glycol. Compared with other laxatives, polyethylene glycol (with and without electrolytes) is a relatively new laxative used during the last decade. Recent studies report excellent efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol for the long-term treatment of constipation in children. Because of excellent patient acceptance, polyethylene glycol has become a preferred choice of laxative for many practitioners. This article reviews the recently published pediatric literature on biochemistry, efficacy, safety, patient acceptance, and pharmacoeconomics of polyethylene glycol.

Review article: faecal incontinence in children: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation and management

BACKGROUND

Faecal incontinence (FI) in children is a significant gastrointestinal problem, with great personal and social impacts. It is characterised by recurrent loss of faecal matter into the underwear. Both functional and organic causes contribute to its aetiology with the former predominating.

AIM

To review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation and management of functional faecal incontinence in children.

METHODS

A PubMed search was conducted using search terms f(a)ecal incontinence, and encopresis. Articles on epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, investigation and management of functional FI in children were retrieved and assessed.

RESULTS

Community prevalence of this distressing problem ranges from 0.8% to 7.8% globally. Male: female ratio varies from 3:1 to 6:1. The diagnosis of FI is often based on established clinical criteria. The majority (82%) have constipation associated functional FI. Biopsychosocial factors play a crucial role in the pathogenesis. Limited physiological testing of anorectal function is recommended in the diagnostic procedures, particularly in children with atypical symptoms and possible organic disorders. Management of FI needs a multidisciplinary approach which includes establishment of an effective doctor-patient partnership, understanding the underlying mechanisms, pharmacotherapy and behavioural treatment. Approximately 15% of children with functional nonretentive faecal incontinence (FNRFI) had the same symptoms at the age of 18 years.

CONCLUSION

Significant therapeutic advances have been made for retentive faecal incontinence, but treatment options for functional nonretentive faecal incontinence are limited. Limited long-term outcome data show that the majority outgrow faecal incontinence. A substantial proportion of children progress to adulthood with faecal incontinence.

Constipation in childhood

Constipation in children is an often long-lasting pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorder with a worldwide prevalence varying between 0.7% and 29.6%, and estimated health-care costs of US$3.9 billion per year in the USA alone. The pathophysiology of childhood constipation is multifactorial and remains incompletely understood; however, withholding of stools, starting after an experience of a hard, painful, or frightening bowel movement is the most common cause found in children. A thorough medical history and physical examination, including a rectal examination in combination with a bowel diary, is sufficient in the majority of cases to diagnose constipation. The current standard treatment consists of education, toilet training, disimpaction, maintenance therapy and long-term follow-up. In the past decade, well-designed treatment trials in the pediatric population have emerged and long-term outcome studies have been completed. This Review summarizes the current knowledge of the clinical aspects of childhood constipation, including pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment, with particular emphasis on the latest available data.

Constipation in children: novel insight into epidemiology, pathophysiology and management

Constipation in children is a common health problem affecting 0.7% to 29.6% children across the world. Exact etiology for developing symptoms is not clear in children and the majority is considered to have functional constipation. Alteration of rectal and pelvic floor function through the brain-gut axis seems to play a crucial role in the etiology. The diagnosis is often a symptom-based clinical process. Recently developed Rome III diagnostic criteria looks promising, both in clinical and research fields. Laboratory investigations such as barium enema, colonoscopy, anorectal manometry and colonic transit studies are rarely indicated except in those who do not respond to standard management. Treatment of childhood constipation involves several facets including education and demystification, toilet training, rational use of laxatives for disimpaction and maintenance and regular follow-up. Surgical options should be considered only when medical therapy fails in long standing constipation. Since most of the management strategies of childhood constipation are not evidence-based, high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to assess the efficacy of currently available or newly emerging therapeutic options. Contrary to the common belief that children outgrow constipation as they grow up, a sizable percentage continue to have symptoms beyond puberty.

Rectal fecal impaction treatment in childhood constipation: enemas versus high doses oral PEG

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that enemas and polyethylene glycol (PEG) would be equally effective in treating rectal fecal impaction (RFI) but enemas would be less well tolerated and colonic transit time (CTT) would improve during disimpaction.

METHODS

Children (4-16 years) with functional constipation and RFI participated. One week before disimpaction, a rectal examination was performed, symptoms of constipation were recorded, and the first CTT measurement was started. If RFI was determined, then patients were assigned randomly to receive enemas once daily or PEG (1.5 g/kg per day) for 6 consecutive days. During this period, the second CTT measurement was started and a child's behavior questionnaire was administered. Successful rectal disimpaction, defecation and fecal incontinence frequencies, occurrence of abdominal pain and watery stools, CTTs (before and after disimpaction), and behavior scores were assessed.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients were eligible, of whom 90 participated (male, n = 60; mean age: 7.5 +/- 2.8 years). Forty-six patients received enemas and 44 PEG, with 5 dropouts in each group. Successful disimpaction was achieved with enemas (80%) and PEG (68%; P = .28). Fecal incontinence and watery stools were reported more frequently with PEG (P < .01), but defecation frequency (P = .64), abdominal pain (P = .33), and behavior scores were comparable between groups. CTT normalized equally (P = .85) in the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Enemas and PEG were equally effective in treating RFI in children. Compared with enemas, PEG caused more fecal incontinence, with comparable behavior scores. The treatments should be considered equally as first-line therapy for RFI.

Management and prevention of fecal impaction

Fecal impactions occur in both sexes at any age but are particularly concentrated in children, in the institutionalized or impaired elderly, and in patients with certain psychiatric disorders or medical conditions that predispose to obstipation. The clinical consequences may be disabling and occasionally life threatening. Clinical manifestations include fecal incontinence, abdominal distention and pain, anorexia, weight loss, intestinal obstruction, and stercoral ulceration with bleeding or colonic perforation. Diagnosis begins with recognition of possible fecal impaction and confirmation by digital examination or abdominal radiography. Management consists of disimpaction, colon evacuation, and a maintenance bowel program to prevent recurrent impactions.