Action of glucomannans on complaints in patients affected with chronic constipation: a multicentric clinical...

Chronic constipation is a very frequent disease in western countries but fibres can often solve the problem. In the present study, authors tested the efficacy and the acceptability of glucomannans, hydrophylic carbohydrates with a high degree of viscosity, in 93 patients affected with chronic constipation. The multicentric, open and non-controlled study was divided into an initial phase (treatment with 1g of glucomannans t.i.d. for 1 month) and a maintenance phase (1g b.i.d. for one month). We evaluated both objective parameters (number of days per week with bowel movements and number of enemas) and abdominal symptoms. After one month all assessed parameters showed a statistically significant improvement lasting through the second month. Glucomannans were well accepted and devoid of relevant side-effects. In conclusion, considering their efficacy and tolerability, they can be proposed as an ideal therapeutic tool in the management of chronic constipation symptoms.