Effects of Polydextrose on Habitual Constipation with Melanosis Coli

Abstract

Effects of Polydextrose on Habitual Constipation with Melanosis Coli Tsuneo MATSUIKE1, Yasumoto SUZUKI1 , Hiroshi NOZAWA1, Haruo NISHINO1, Makoto MATSUSHIMA1 , and Yutaka MORI2 1 Coro-proctlogy center, Matsushima Hospital , 2 National Higashi-Utsunomiya Hospital Polydextrose has been reported to promote bowel elimination . The clinical efficacy of polydextrose administered at a daily dose of 7g for 30 days was examined in 23 patients with habitual constipation and melanosis coli found by total colonoscopy. After the start of treatment with polydextrose , 13(56.5%) of the 23 patients noted improvement in constipation (dyschezia). The stool consisitency of stools improved in 17 (85 .0%) of 20 patients having had hard stools . The frequency of defecation increased in 13 (81 .3%) of 16 patients who of fecal properties . After the use of polydextrose for 30 days, the effects of polydextrose was noted in 20(87 .0%) of the 23 patients in total as (1) improvement in constipation, (2) increased frequency of defecation , (3) softened the stool consisitency, (4) improvement in other bowel symptoms , or (5) reduced laxative dose, or two or more of those. These results indicated a clinical effects of polydextrose for the treatment of habitual constipation in patients with melanosis coli .