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Correlates of regular laxative use by frail elderly persons
D Harari1, J H Gurwitz, J Avorn
1Division on Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
The American Journal of Medicine
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Regular laxative use in elderly care is linked to immobility and certain medications. Identifying these factors may help reduce reliance on laxatives and improve quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Constipation is a common issue in long-term care facilities.
- Laxative use is prevalent among elderly residents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify demographic, clinical, and pharmacological factors associated with regular laxative use in elderly individuals in long-term care.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with retrospective record review.
- Included 694 residents from a US long-term care facility.
- Defined regular laxative use as >30 doses/month.
Main Results:
- 349 residents used laxatives regularly.
- Associated factors included immobility, Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus.
- Medication correlates: iron supplements, calcium channel blockers, anticholinergic antidepressants.
Conclusions:
- Regular laxative use often correlates with neurologic conditions or medications affecting gut motility.
- Identifying modifiable factors can guide strategies to reduce laxative dependence.
- This may improve constipation symptoms and enhance quality of life for frail elderly.