Lactulose Syrup Assessed in a Double‐Blind Study of Elderly Constipated Patients

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Abstract
The laxative effects of 50% lactulose syrup and 50% glucose syrup were compared in a 12 wk, double-blind study of 47 elderly constipated patients living in a nursing home. The dosage was 30 ml daily taken at bedtime; it was reduced to 15 ml if the initial dosage produced 2 or more bowel movements daily. The number of bowel movements during treatment in comparison to pretreatment was significantly increased in the 42 patients (19 lactulose, 23 glucose) who completed at least 8 wk of the study. Lactulose was superior to glucose in the mean number of bowel movements per day (P < 0.02) and in the percentage of days in which at least 1 bowel movement occurred (P < 0.05). Reduction in the severity of each of 5 symptoms (cramping, griping, flatulence, tenesmus, bloating) was greater with lactulose. For relief of all 5 symptoms, lactulose was significantly more effective than glucose (P < 0.04). The striking reduction in the number of fecal impactions (only 6 in the lactulose patients vs. 66 in the controls) was highly significant (P < 0.015). The lactulose patients needed fewer enemas than did the controls. No abnormal values were observed in laboratory tests.

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