High-fiber liquid diet for chronic constipation: An exploration from healthcare providers' survey results

Summary: Aim: Constipation is a common complication in patients receiving enteral nutrition, and fecal incontinence caused by laxative use can lead to a decrease in patients' quality of life and an increase in the burden on healthcare providers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a high-fiber liquid diet on constipation and defecation care. Methods: An anonymous online survey of 184 healthcare providers was conducted on the use of ISOCAL® Fibecare (IF). Results: Many patients who used IF experienced underlying neurological disease (56.5%), and the number of days of use (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) was 41.6 ± 41.5 days. The intake of dietary fiber before and after IF use increased significantly from 11.2 ± 7.6 to 23.8 ± 5.6 g/day (P < 0.001), the number of normal bowel movements per week increased from 1.4 ± 1.8 to 1.9 ± 2.4 times/week (P < 0.01), and the number of people not receiving constipation treatment increased significantly from 19 (10.3%) to 47 (25.5%) (P < 0.001). With treatment, the use of osmotic laxatives, diphenylmethane derivatives, and enemas significantly decreased. Changes after the use of IF included decreased burden of defecation care for 31.0% of respondents, decreased frequency of bed sheet changes due to fecal soil in 22.2%, and decreased frequency of diaper exchange in 15.2%. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the use of IF reduces the burden of healthcare providers at the time of defecation care due to the increased number of normal stools and decreased use of laxatives and enemas. Trial Registry: https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000055173.