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Development of constipation in nursing home residents
K M Robson1, D K Kiely, T Lembo
1Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged Research and Training Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
|July 26, 2000
Summary
Constipation affects 12.5% of nursing home residents, with 7% developing it within three months. Key risk factors include race, low fluid intake, pneumonia, and Parkinson's disease, aiding in identifying at-risk geriatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Constipation is a prevalent issue in geriatric patients, particularly in nursing homes, leading to significant morbidity.
- The exact causes of constipation in the elderly are not fully understood, necessitating further research into risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of constipation in a large nursing home population.
- To identify independent risk factors associated with the development of constipation in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment tool on 21,012 nursing home residents aged 65+.
- Employed multivariate logistic regression, excluding baseline constipation cases, to analyze risk factors like medications, mobility, comorbidities, and nutrition.
Main Results:
- Baseline constipation prevalence was 12.5%; 7% developed constipation over three months.
- Independent risk factors included race, decreased fluid intake, pneumonia, Parkinson's disease, and allergies.
- Congestive heart failure and feeding tube use showed a protective effect.
Conclusions:
- Identified key variables to predict and potentially prevent constipation in at-risk geriatric nursing home residents.
- Further research is recommended to establish causal relationships between identified risk factors and constipation development.