A critical appraisal of lubiprostone in the treatment of chronic constipation in the elderly

Activation of chloride channels and promotion of bowel movements by heat-killed Bifidobacterium longum CLA8013

Constipation is strongly associated with the deterioration of quality of life (QOL), and patients with constipation desire clear spontaneous defecation without the feeling of incomplete evacuation, rather than improved defecation frequency. The use of common osmotic or stimulant laxatives has not been shown to lead to a satisfactory improvement of bowel movements. In addition, softening of stools by increasing their water content has been reported to increase the frequency of spontaneous defecation and improve hard stools, straining during defecation, and abdominal symptoms, such as abdominal bloating, thereby leading to improvement of QOL deterioration caused by constipation. Thus, the present study screened bacterial strains in vitro using intestinal epithelial T84 cells, aiming to identify one that activates chloride channels involved in water secretion into the intestinal tract. As a result, the conditioned medium of Bifidobacterium longum CLA8013 was found to induce ion transport. Also, this effect was suppressed by cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) (inh)-172, a CFTR chloride channel inhibitor. Furthermore, both live and heat-killed CLA8013 similarly induced ion transport, suggesting that bacterial cell components are responsible for the effect. In addition, the administration of heat-killed CLA8013 to loperamide-induced constipation rats resulted in an increase in fecal water content and promoted defecation. These results suggest that the active components in CLA8013 act on CFTR chloride channels in the intestinal tract, promote water secretion into the intestinal tract, and soften stools, thereby promoting bowel movements.

[Efficacy and Safety of Linaclotide in Elderly Patients]

The efficacy and safety of linaclotide in elderly patients are poorly understood. Herein, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of linaclotide in elderly patients in real-world setting. We retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients who started linaclotide therapy at Sapporo Medical University Hospital from October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. The efficacy and safety of linaclotide were examined in relation to various factors, including age (<65 or ≥65 years) and dose (0.25 or 0.5 mg/d). Fifty-two patients were enrolled, 60% of whom were over 65 years old and 40% were female. Thirty-six patients received a linaclotide dose of 0.25 mg/d. The most common side effect was diarrhea, but there was no difference in the incidence of diarrhea between the elderly (64.5%) and non-elderly patients (42.9%, p=0.130). No significant difference was observed with respect to improvement in constipation in the elderly (83.9%) and non-elderly patients (71.4%, p=0.318). Additionally, the difference in efficacy of linaclotide in patients who received a reduced dose (80.6%) vs. those who received the recommended dose (75.0%) was not statistically significant (p=0.719). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, and dose were not associated with diarrhea induced by linaclotide treatment. However, concurrent treatment with constipation-inducing medications [odds ratio (OR) 5.79, p=0.047] and linaclotide monotherapy (OR 11.1, p=0.040) were both risk factors contributing to diarrhea. Linaclotide is effective and safe for use in elderly patients. The incidence of diarrhea may increase when linaclotide is administered alone or concurrently used with medications that cause constipation.

Chronic Constipation in the Elderly Patient: Updates in Evaluation and Management

Chronic constipation (CC) is a common disorder in the elderly population globally and is associated with comorbidities and negative implications on the quality of life. Constipation prevalence varies in different studies, primarily owing to the nonuniformity of the diagnostic criteria. However, 15%-30% of individuals aged >60 years are diagnosed with CC. Primary care physicians are the main healthcare providers that manage constipation in elderly patients in parallel with increased population aging and increased prevalence of constipation. Physical inactivity, polypharmacy, chronic medical conditions, rectal hyposensitivity, and defecatory disorders all play a role in the pathogenesis of CC in elderly patients. Detailed anamnesis, particularly history related to chronic medication use, with digital rectal examination may assist in identifying constipation causes. Additionally, blood tests and colonoscopy may identify organic causes of CC. Physiologic tests (i.e., anorectal manometry, colonic transit time with radiopaque markers, and defecography) can evaluate the physiologic function of the colon, rectum, and anus. However, generally, there are several causes of constipation in older patients, and an individualized approach is recommended. Treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation is empiric, based on the stepwise approach. Lifestyle advice, adjustment of chronic medications, and prescription of laxatives are the first steps of management. Several laxatives are available, and the treatment is evolving in the last decade. Biofeedback is an effective therapy especially for defecatory disorders. This review aimed to summarize the most updated knowledge for primary care physicians in the approach and management of CC in elderly patients.

Appropriate Use of Laxatives in the Older Person

Constipation is a common condition, affecting up to half of all older adults during their lifetime. Untreated constipation has significant impacts, decreasing quality of life and potentially leading to urinary and/or faecal incontinence, faecal impaction and, in severe cases, hospitalisation. The increased constipation prevalence among older populations is multifactorial, with a number of age-related factors contributing to the rise in prevalence with aging. Laxatives are the mainstay of constipation management and are commonly used among older populations for both treatment and prevention of constipation. A range of laxative types including bulk forming agents, softeners and emollients, osmotic agents, stimulants, and the newer prokinetic and secretory agents are available. Despite laxatives being freely available without prescription in many countries and commonly used by older individuals, evidence regarding the effectiveness or safety of most laxatives in older populations is lacking. Additionally, age-related changes increase the risk of adverse effects associated with laxatives, such as electrolyte disturbances, among older persons. Caution must be taken when extrapolating recommendations for general adult populations to older populations. Laxative choice for older individuals should be tailored after careful assessment and consideration of comorbid conditions, concomitant medications and the potential for adverse effects.

Possible Effect of Concomitant Prokinetics and Herbal Medicines against Nausea in Patients Taking Lubiprostone

Background and Aim. Lubiprostone is a novel laxative that sometimes causes nausea, but preventive strategies remain unconfirmed. Methods. We retrospectively chose 126 patients prescribed lubiprostone from 2013 to 2016. Medical records were reviewed to clarify whether nausea developed after administration of the drug. Background characteristics, including concomitant medicines, were also reviewed. Results. The most common adverse symptom was diarrhea (23.8%). Nausea occurred in 16 patients (12.7%). Patients taking either prokinetics or herbal medicines or both were unlikely to develop nausea (p=0.007). Conclusions. Concomitant prokinetics and/or herbal medicines may help alleviate lubiprostone-induced nausea.

Chronic constipation in the elderly: a primer for the gastroenterologist

Constipation is a frequently reported bowel symptom in the elderly with considerable impact on quality of life and health expenses. Disease-related morbidity and even mortality have been reported in the affected frail elderly. Although constipation is not a physiologic consequence of normal aging, decreased mobility, medications, underlying diseases, and rectal sensory-motor dysfunction may all contribute to its increased prevalence in older adults. In the elderly there is usually more than one etiologic mechanism, requiring a multifactorial treatment approach. The majority of patients would respond to diet and lifestyle modifications reinforced by bowel training measures. In those not responding to conservative treatment, the approach needs to be tailored addressing all comorbid conditions. In the adult population, the management of constipation continues to evolve as well as the understanding of its complex etiology. However, the constipated elderly have been left behind while gastroenterology consultations for this common conditions are at a rise for the worldwide age increment. Aim of this review is to provide an update on epidemiology, quality of life burden, etiology, diagnosis, current approaches and limitations in the management of constipation in the older ones to ease the gastroenterologists’ clinic workload.

Obstructive uropathy caused by chronic constipation

We herein report a case regarding a 90-year-old woman with a history of recurrent episodes of urinary tract infections presenting with fever. Urinalysis revealed bacteria and white blood cells. Computed tomography showed dilated and fecally loaded rectum and colon with signs of obstructive uropathy. The patient was treated for urinary tract infection and constipation. Her bowel habits were controlled with lubiprostone, and she was discharged in good medical condition. This case highlights the importance of considering fecal impaction as a cause of urinary tract obstruction or infection.

Constipation in adults: diagnosis and management

OPINION STATEMENT

Symptoms of constipation occur at all ages, with the greatest prevalence in individuals older than 60 years of age. It is estimated that 35 million individuals suffer from constipation in the USA, but only a small number will ever be diagnosed. Patients identify constipation symptoms differently than physicians. Whereas a patient may define their constipation by symptoms of bloating, distension, feeling of incomplete evacuation, abdominal discomfort, hard stools, and excessive straining, physicians often interpret prolonged timing between movements as the most essential criteria. An evaluation of constipation begins with a focused history of a person's bowel habit, medications, diet, physical activity, and an anorectal examination. In the absence of alarm signs, diagnostic testing for constipation is not routinely recommended in the initial evaluation. First-line management includes lifestyle changes of increased physical activity, high-fiber diets, adequate fluid intake, and bowel management techniques such as a straight back sitting position, using known triggers to stimulate bowel contractions, and a foot stool to elevate knees above bottom during toileting. When refractory to initial management, patients should have anorectal manometry to assess outlet function; additional testing may be required. Biofeedback is an effective treatment option for dyssynergic defecation. A range of traditional and new pharmacologic therapies are available to remedy constipation, from stool softeners to agents that increase intestinal transit. Managing the primary and secondary causes of constipation, incorporating effective bowel management techniques, along with the judicious use of laxatives can reduce constipation symptoms and improve quality of life.

Common GI Drug Interactions in the Elderly

OPINION STATEMENT

The careful review of drug-drug interactions is vital to the safe prescribing of medications for chronic medical conditions. The elderly population suffers from multiple medical problems, and polypharmacy leads to further morbidity in this vulnerable group of patients. We discuss gastrointestinal conditions such as GERD, peptic ulcer disease, gastroparesis, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease and the commonly used medications in these conditions. Treatment options must be individualized and tailored to accommodate the underlying pharmacokinetics and known drug-drug interactions. The indication for the use of a therapeutic agent in the elderly and the duration of use must be frequently readdressed to help prevent polypharmacy and adverse drug reactions. Medications should be started at a low dose with careful titration to achieve a clinical response to prevent toxicity. The aim of this article is to increase awareness of important drug-drug interactions of commonly prescribed gastrointestinal medications in the elderly.

Anorexia of aging and gut hormones

We are expected to live longer than if we had been born 100 years ago however, the additional years are not necessarily spent in good health or free from disability. Body composition changes dramatically over the course of life. There is a gradual increase in body weight throughout adult life until the age of about 60-65 years. In contrast, body weight appears to decrease with age after the age of 65-75 years, even in those demonstrating a previous healthy body weight. This age related decrease in body weight, often called unintentional weight loss or involuntary weight loss can be a significant problem for the elderly. This has been shown to be related to decline in appetite and food intake is common amongst the elderly and is often referred to the anorexia of aging. Underlying mechanisms regulate energy homeostasis and appetite may change as people age. In this review, peripheral factors regulating appetite have been summarized in regards to their age-dependent changes and role in the etiology of anorexia of aging. Understanding the alterations in the mechanisms regulating appetite and food intake in conjunction with aging may help inform strategies that promote healthy aging and promote health and wellbeing in the elderly years, with the end goal to add life to the years and not just years to our lives.