[Comparison of the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol with and without electrolytes in the treatment of chronic constipation]

Abstract

Introduction: To compare the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol with and without electrolytes (EL) over a 12 week period in treatment of chronic constipation in paediatrics.

Material and methods: This was an observational, prospective, longitudinal, parallel group study, including 62 children with chronic constipation according to ROME III criteria and a history of faecal impaction. The children were divided into groups, one group of 30 received polyethylene glycol without EL (PEG) and 32 PEG with EL (PEG+EL) for at least 12 weeks. The main outcomes were the number of bowel movements at 6 and 12 weeks, and the presence of electrolyte disturbances at 6 weeks.

Results: The mean weekly stool frequencies were similar in both groups at 6 and 12 weeks, with 5.4 and 4.6 stools per week in the PEG+EL and PEG groups, respectively at 12 weeks. After 6 weeks of treatment, 83% (25 of 30) of the PEG group had at least one electrolyte disturbance compared with 56% (18 of 32) in the PEG+EL group (P=.02). Hyponatraemia was found in 15% (5 of 32) vs. 36% (11 of 30) of PEG+EL and PEG groups, respectively (P=.05). None of the laboratory abnormalities were clinically relevant.

Conclusions: PEG formulations with or without EL have a quite similar effectiveness, safety and acceptability. PEG without EL produced more electrolyte abnormalities, but none of them were symptomatic.

Keywords: Constipation; Estreñimiento; Laxantes; Laxatives; Polietilenglicol; Polyethylene glycol; Tratamiento del estreñimiento; Treatment of constipation.