Lactulose administration for correction of stool disturbances in patients with rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Objective. To study efficacy and tolerability of Normase® (lactulose, Doctor Reddy’s laboratories) for correction of stool disturbances in pts with rheumatic diseases (RD). Material and methods. 50 pts with RD (female with mean age 64,2+19,6 years) suffering from constipation (stool frequency less than 3 times a week) at least for 3 months were included. Lactulose 30 ml was administered once a day in the evening. In the absence of effect dose was increased to 60 ml, in case of prominent effect — decreased to 15 ml. Duration of treatment was 2 weeks. Dejection frequency from 8 lh to 14 ,h day and changes of general health connected with bowels function (on VAS) were used as outcome measures. Results. Results of treatment were assessed in 48 pts. Two pts were lost to follow up, in two the drug was withdrawn due to adverse events (haemorrhoidal bleeding increase in one and prominent wind in another). Stool normalization was achieved in 12, significant improvement (increase of dejection frequency at least by 50%) — in 19 (39,6%), insignificant improvement (increase of dejection frequency less than by 50%) — in 9 (18,7%) pts. In 6 pts (12,5%) effect was absent. Mean dejection frequency significantly increased from 1,8+0,4 to 4,1 ±1,7 times a week (p<0,001) Conclusion. Lactulose is effective and relatively safe drug for treatment of chronic constipation in pts with RD and can be recommended for wide administration in rheumatological practice.