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Colon irrigation safe, effective for chronic constipation
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High-volume colon irrigation can be an effective and safe alternative to medical therapy for patients with chronic constipation, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
David A. Johnson, MD, MACG, FASGE, FACP, professor of medicine and chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and colleagues wrote that this therapy shows promise as a possible alternative to traditional options, as existing chronic constipation therapies can be expensive and often do not produce the desired results.
“Severe chronic constipation is an increasingly prevalent condition in the U.S.,” Johnson told Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease. “This is in part aggravated by the increased use of opioids and the constipating effects, as well other demographic patient features which are causally related. The clinical management of these patients is problematic, and successful pharmacologic therapies have considerable shortfalls for success.”
The researchers studied 175 patients with refractory constipation of varying causes who all underwent colon irrigation using the HyGIeaCare device (HyGIeaCare Inc.) that is intended for colon cleansing prior to radiological or endoscopic examination.
The primary endpoint was successful passage of stool during irrigation, and the secondary endpoint was patient satisfaction and a favorable side effect profile.
All participating patients reported solid stool during the procedure, as well as definitive removal of fecal obstructing debris compared to traditional therapy.
The most common adverse effects of the procedure included nausea and abdominal cramping, reported by only 9% of patients. No serious or severe adverse events were reported.
The investigators wrote that in addition to the immediate cleansing of the colon, irrigation could alter the microbiome in ways that promote more favorable bacteria and result in long lasting relief. They called for future research to study the long-term effects of the procedure on chronic constipation.
“Results are encouraging, but longer follow-up data are eagerly awaited, in order to better define the true value of this approach as a therapeutic option,” Johnson said – by Alex Young
Disclosures: Johnson reports that he is a consultant to HyGIeaCare.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on April 2, with comments from a study author, and on April 3, with Johnson's financial disclosures.
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