Laxatives or methylnaltrexone for the management of constipation in palliative care patients

摘要

To assess the effectiveness of laxatives or methylnaltrexone for the management of constipation in palliative care patients. A review of seven randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) with data extraction. Meta-analysis was used to provide a pool estimate effect where the data were of sufficient quality. Constipation is common in palliative care because of the use of medications for pain control (particularly, opioids) and because of disease-related, dietary, and mobility factors. Constipation causes considerable suffering because of the unpleasant physical symptoms. Therefore, nurses who are predominate caretakers of palliative care patients must have information relating to the most effective way to treat constipation.