Active clinical trials for "Constipation"

This post-authorization observational safety study determines the characteristics of patients prescribed naloxegol at time of first prescription and treatment patterns of naloxegol in follow-up in the United Kingdom (UK), Norway, Sweden, and Germany.

Constipation is a common problem in palliative cancer patients. However, there were insufficient randomized controlled trial (RCT) data to identify the "best" laxative or combination of laxatives in these patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in holistic approach is popular among cancer patients. More than half had received at least one form of TCM therapy according to the survey carried in 2008. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in compound formulation with nourishing and purging effects simultaneously may be more preferred to relieve constipation by local palliative cancer patients. TCM syndrome differentiated by collecting all symptoms and signs through the classic four diagnostic methods is the foundation for making diagnosis and prescription in TCM practice. The present study is the first local study to evaluate the bowel habits and TCM syndrome of advanced cancer patients with constipation. We hope that the results not only can shed light on patient's own reporting or experience of constipation and the effectiveness of current practice, but also can draw up a CHM formulation for advanced cancer patients with constipation.

The research study is designed to test how a medication called octreotide affects the motility (contraction or squeezing) of the colon (large intestine). Investigators are investigating whether octreotide can increase contraction and movement in the colon.

Biofeedback therapy improves bowel symptoms and anorectal function in patients with dyssynergic defecation, however its mechanism of action is not known. The investigators hypothesize that biofeedback therapy enhances gut-brain-gut communication by altering cortical processing of information and improving cortically mediated neuromuscular function of the gut. The investigators' specific aims are; (1) To evaluate the afferent cortical evoked potentials in response to the electrical stimulation of the anorectum (i) before and after biofeedback therapy and (ii) compare responders with nonresponders. (2) To evaluate the corticofugal tracts (efferent) by recording the anal and rectal electromyographic responses following noninvasive lumbosacral and transcranial magnetic stimulation (i) before and after biofeedback therapy and (ii) compare responders with nonresponders. The investigators hypothesize that biofeedback therapy enhances gut-brain-gut communication and alters cortical and neuromuscular function. The investigators' specific aims are to evaluate 60 patients with dyssynergia (i) before and after biofeedback therapy and (ii) compare responders with nonresponders by examining: (A) The afferent cortical evoked potentials using electrical stimulation of the anus and rectum. (B) The efferent cortical evoked potentials by lumbosacral and transcranial magnetic stimulation and recording the anal and rectal electromyographic responses.

The purpose of this study is to study factors (drugs, serum concentration of drugs, nutrition, physical activity, demographics, diseases etc.) related to constipation and diarrhea in nursing homes, and the effect of different laxative regimens.

Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS) describes a condition which is characterized by chronic constipation. The symptoms of ODS include abdominal pain or cramping, irregular bowel frequency and the feeling of not having emptied the rectum. ODS is usually associated with internal rectal prolapse and/or rectocele. For surgical treatment of ODS, a plethora of surgical techniques have been described with no one method having been assessed as a gold standard.

The goal of this research study is to learn how patients' think about constipation before and after receiving education about the subject.

The purpose of this study is to understand how a drug called Linaclotide improves bowel function and abdominal pain in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) as well as to examine whether Linaclotide alters communication between the brain and pelvic-floor region. Linaclotide has been shown to improve abdominal pain and bowel symptoms in IBS-C, and is approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition. However, how exactly this drug works to relieve abdominal pain and discomfort in humans is not clearly known. Studies in animal models suggest that patients with IBS-C have hypersensitivity in the gut. Consequently, in IBS-C patients, there is rapid and excessive conduction of signals both from the brain and central nervous system region towards the pelvic-floor (anorectal axis) and the reverse direction. The investigators hypothesize that treatment with Linaclotide may improve/normalize these signals and thereby improve bowel symptoms. Investigators will test this theory using a new, noninvasive (and established) method of studying this communication pathway between the brain and gut.

The project's primary purpose is to establish a network of Hospice Palliative Care settings using a common and consistent method of assessing and documenting bowel functioning in order to be able to carry out future collaborative studies of constipation treatments. The secondary goal is to gather normative data on current bowel care function and outcomes of current treatments which can be used to determine sample size calculations for future controlled trials of bowel management protocols. In order to complete this goal the project requires a thorough assessment of current nursing practice in regard to bowel care.

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders in intensive care patients remain relatively unexplored. Nowadays, the frequency, risk factors and complications of GI dysfunction during enteral nutrition (EN) become more questionable. Our aim is to evaluate the frequency, risk factors and complications of GI dysfunction during EN in the first 2 weeks of the intensive care unit (ICU) stay and to identify precautions to prevent the development of GI dysfunction and avoid complications.