Case Report: Bowel Movements Care of Elderly Patients with Tube Feeding Living at Nursing Home

University  ABSTRACT Background: This practical case reported methods to promote spontaneous bowel movements of the elderly with gastrostomy tube feeding living at nursing homes. Case presentation: We showed the influence of synbiotics on bowel movements in 12 elderly patients with gastrostomy tube feeding living at a nursing home. The patients were divided into three groups based on their defecation frequency. Statistical analysis of change in bowel movements over time was conducted using General Linear Model, and Quantification Method Type II was performed to identify the cause of constipation. In the low group, the frequency of defecation increased from 2.22 to 4.08 times a week ( p = 0.041), and the number of days with defecation increased from 1.98 to 3.62 per week ( p = 0.015). Further, the number of required medical treatments decreased from 8.50 to 0.50 during the case period ( p = 0.007). Conversely, in the high group, the frequency of defecation decreased from 9.04 to 6.88 times a week ( p = 0.032), and the number of days with defecation decreased from 6.24 to 4.67 per week ( p = 0.009). There was no significant difference in Bristol Stool Scale and the feces quantity. The duration of gastrostomy and dietary fiber did not correlate with patient constipation. Discussion: This case reported that synbiotic intake tends to improve bowel movements in elderly patients receiving gastrostomy tube feeding. In the future, further research using randomized controlled trials