Impact of Laxative Therapy With Lactulose in the Evolution of Organ Dysfunction in Critically Ill Patients.

Summary

MAIN FEATURES OF THE STUDY: therapeutic intervention. Constipation is a frequent complication in critical ill patients. The disaccharide lactulose has a laxative osmotic activity. Given the scant evidence and the potential risk associated with constipation in seriously ill patients, this study aims to assess the impact of laxative therapy in the prognosis of critically ill patients. Study hypothesis: Constipation is part of the clinical spectrum of intestinal dysfunction and if treated can result in improved prognosis for critically ill patients.

Timeline

Start

2008-09

Primary completion

2012-04

Completion

—

Outcome

Met primary endpoint

paper Patients in the intervention group had a greater reduction in SOFA score (-4.0 (-6.0 to 0) versus -1.0 (-4.0 to 1.0), p = 0.036) PMID 26373705 ↗

Publications

• de Azevedo RP, Freitas FG, Ferreira EM, Pontes de Azevedo LC, Machado FR. Daily laxative therapy reduces organ dysfunction in mechanically ventilated patients: a phase II randomized controlled trial. Crit Care. 2015 Sep 16;19(1):329. doi: 10.1186/s13054-015-1047-x.

Drugs

Indications