Wheat Bran in Dyschezia in the Aged

Abstract

A trial of wheat bran added to the diet of aged dyschezic hospital patients (12 men, 13 women) is reported. This significantly reduced the need for aperients and suppositories but revealed unexpected differences in response by sex. In men, bran produced more bowel actions, fewer constipated days and an increase in stool size. In women there was much less effect upon the number of bowel actions and reduction of constipated days. In men there were fewer constipated days and need for aperients after the bran was withdrawn. Side-effects were only seen in men. Most patients received 15 g/day (range 5-25 g/day). Although cheap and effective in replacing aperients, there were problems in administration and control of incontinence for the nursing staff. The value of added wheat bran in the bowel management of the long-stay hospital patient is discussed and an effective method of combining bran in the diet (e.g. with bread) might be further investigated.

Transit Time in Constipated Geriatric Patients During Treatment with a Bulk Laxative and Bran: A Comparison

“…Leaking and soiling has been reported as a problem in some aged dyschezic hospital patients receiving wheat bran (3). Some sanitary problems occumng during the bran treatment period were also reported by the ward staff in our study.…”

Constipation in Elderly Patients

“…Several reports have documented that constipation is reduced in institutionalised elderly patients after the addition of dietary fibre and fluids in a controlled fashion (Clark & Scott 1976;Hope & Down 1986;Hull et al 1980). In these studies, bran in amounts ranging from 6 to 20g daily was well tolerated by patients.…”

Alleviation of Constipation in the Elderly by Dietary Fiber Supplementation

“…Problems of mixing and administering the bran (7) were minimal once the final recipe for bran‐supplemented cereal was devised (see Table, section A). This cereal is prepared by Dietary Department employees by means of usual food production methods.…”

“…No clear agreement has been reached on the amount of fiber that should be added to the diet of the elderly to prevent constipation. Burkitt and Meisner (8) recommended a daily intake of 6–10 gm of dietary fiber for this purpose, whereas Clark and Scott (7) found that quantities ranging from 5 to 15 gm were needed to achieve regular bowel evacuation in a group of elderly dyschezic patients in England.…”