A Dose Determination Study of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Functional Constipation

Launched by HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY · Mar 6, 2006

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Functional constipation (FC) is a common complaint in clinical practice, with the estimated prevalence 14.3% in Hong Kong, as nearly affecting 1 million Hong Kong People in different extent. It is comparable with western population, which is 15% in North America. By the definition of Rome II criteria, FC comprises a group of functional disorders, which presents as persistent difficult, infrequent or seemingly incomplete defecation.

Constipation is often perceived to be benign, easily treated condition with short-term treatment being relatively straightforward. However, the fact is the mana...

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Clinical diagnosis of functional constipation with Rome II criteria
• • General stool type belongs to Type 1 to 4 according to Bristol Stool Form Scale
• • Complete spontaneous bowel movement≦2 movements per week
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Anti-diarrhoeal therapy
• • Drug-induced constipation
• • Medical history of important bowel pathology, such as inflammatory bowel disease, congenital or acquired megacolon / megarectum
• • Medical history of previous abdominal surgery
• • Taking chronic medications that contain any kind of herbs, mineral, or specific vitamin supplements
• • Medical history of carbohydrate malabsorption, hormonal disorder, cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, asthma, renal impairment and/or any other serious diseases
• • History of laxative abuse
• • History of allergy to Chinese herbal medicine
• • Psychiatric or addictive disorders
• • Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• • Any other serious diseases