Cross Sectional Study of Constipation in Advanced Cancer Patients
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Purpose
Constipation is a common problem in palliative cancer patients. However, there were insufficient randomized controlled trial (RCT) data to identify the "best" laxative or combination of laxatives in these patients.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in holistic approach is popular among cancer patients. More than half had received at least one form of TCM therapy according to the survey carried in 2008. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in compound formulation with nourishing and purging effects simultaneously may be more preferred to relieve constipation by local palliative cancer patients.
TCM syndrome differentiated by collecting all symptoms and signs through the classic four diagnostic methods is the foundation for making diagnosis and prescription in TCM practice.
The present study is the first local study to evaluate the bowel habits and TCM syndrome of advanced cancer patients with constipation. We hope that the results not only can shed light on patient's own reporting or experience of constipation and the effectiveness of current practice, but also can draw up a CHM formulation for advanced cancer patients with constipation.
| Condition |
|---|
|
Palliative Care Constipation Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Study Type: | Observational |
| Study Design: | Observational Model: Case-Only Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional |
| Official Title: | Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Distribution of Advanced Cancer Patients With Constipation |
- TCM syndrome distribution [ Time Frame: End of recruitment (estimated timeframe: 3 months) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]Five TCM syndromes, i.e. Excess Heat, Qi Stagnation, Qi Deficiency, Yang Deficiency and Yin Deficiency, are differentiated by TCM practitioner.
- bowel habit [ Time Frame: End of recruitment (estimated timeframe: 3 months) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Patient's own reporting or experience of constipation
- Effectiveness of current practice in relief of constipation
| Enrollment: | 255 |
| Study Start Date: | May 2010 |
| Study Completion Date: | February 2011 |
| Primary Completion Date: | July 2010 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
Eligibility| Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older |
| Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
| Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
Advanced cancer patients (aged 18 or above) under the care of palliative care units who are on laxatives and who have constipation during recruitment.
Inclusion Criteria:
- advanced cancer patients
- on medication for facilitating bowel movement and/or constipation visual analogue scale >=2
Exclusion Criteria:
- unable to communicate
- cognitive impaired
- put on colostomy bag
- clinically diagnosed gastrointestinal obstruction
- at end-of-life
Contacts and Locations| China, Hong Kong | |
| Caritas Medical Centre | |
| Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China | |
| Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital | |
| Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China | |
| Principal Investigator: | Doris MW Tse, MD | Department of Medicine & Geriatrics / ICU, Caritas Medical Centre |
More Information
No publications provided
| Responsible Party: | Dr. Tse Man Wah, Doris / Chief of Service, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics / ICU, Caritas Medical Centre |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01399294 History of Changes |
| Other Study ID Numbers: | Constipation/TCM2010 |
| Study First Received: | July 18, 2011 |
| Last Updated: | July 19, 2011 |
| Health Authority: | Hong Kong: Hong Kong Hospital Authority |
Keywords provided by Yan Chai Hospital:
|
Palliative Care Advanced Cancer Constipation Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Distribution |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
|
Constipation Neoplasms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive Signs and Symptoms |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 23, 2013