Čes. slov. farm. 2016, 65(2):78-81 | DOI: 10.36290/csf.2016.014

The evaluation of the prevalence of constipation at the Centre of clinical gerontology

Pavla Pančevová^1,2,*, Martin Vodička^1,2, Karel Vašut^1,2, Milan Forejtar^1,2

¹ Veterinární a farmaceutická univerzita Brno, Farmaceutická fakulta, Ústav aplikované farmacie

² Krajská nemocnice Tomáše Bati a. s. Zlín, Centrum klinické gerontologie (LDN), Zlín

Constipation is a disease which increases in the senior population and is a common complication for hospitalised patients. Among the risk factors are age, female gender, immobility, diet, fluid intake and polypharmacotherapy. The aim of the study was to analyse the prevalence of constipation according to the used drugs and known risk factors in a population with a high prevalence of constipation. In the department of clinical gerontology, observational prevalence point study was performed using a questionnaire involving 100 patients based on the patient's subjective perception of constipation. Prevalence of constipation was determined according to the drug categories and individual drugs, gender, age, mobility, diagnosis, diet and fluid intake. There were 59 patients who suffered from constipation. A high prevalence of constipation was associated with the diet, the principal diagnosis, and mainly the use of drugs. Among the drugs associated with constipation were the calcium channel blockers of 21 patients out of 28, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors of 22 patients out of 30, drugs for the treatment of increased urinary frequency and incontinence of 6 patients out of 6 and bisoprolol of 10 patients out of 11. Hospitalisation of seniors is connected with the high prevalence of constipation that is increased by the use of drugs that influence constipation. A change in the therapeutic value of drugs should be taken into consideration during the pharmacotherapy of this group of patients.

Keywords: constipation; risks factors for constipation; drug-induced constipation

Received: February 1, 2016; Accepted: February 16, 2016; Published: February 1, 2016  Show citation