OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of a microbial cell preparation (MCP®) (Hexbio®; comprising MCP® BCMC® strains) on stool frequency, consistency, and constipation-related symptoms in elderly patients with multiple chronic medical conditions.
DESIGN: Randomised control trial.
SETTING: Medical outpatient and medical/surgical in-patient unit in single tertiary center.
PARTICIPANT: Patients aged ≥ 60 years who experience constipation and have multiple chronic medical conditions.
METHODS: Participants with constipation were blindly randomized into either a treatment (MCP® BCMC® strains) or a placebo group. The treatment was administered twice daily.
MEASUREMENT: Gastrointestinal symptoms and stool habits were assessed over a week during the intervention via the use of a questionnaire and stool diary.
RESULTS: Stool frequency was seen to be higher and the improvement in stool consistency was more significant in the treatment group than in the placebo group (p =<0.001). A significant improvement in symptoms was demonstrated in patients who received MCP® BCMC® strains,specifically with respect to straining (p = < 0.001) and a sensation of incomplete evacuation (p = < 0.001). reduction in anorectal blockage symptoms and the need for manual stool evacuation was also demonstrated, but this finding was not statistically significant. Significant adverse events were not observed.
CONCLUSIONS: An improvement in stool frequency and consistency was reported in elderly patients with chronic medical conditions following the administration of MCP® BCMC® strains.
* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.