Evidence map›Paper›PMID 20614462›Full record

SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2010

Lactulose versus Polyethylene Glycol for Chronic Constipation.

Heather Lee-Robichaud, Kathryn Thomas, Jenna Morgan, Richard L Nelson

4 registry-linked trialsAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2010. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 4 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 105 papers, 21 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
105citing papers in PubMed, 21 pooled it
14.5field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT03148002 phase4completednot on this mapstarted 2017, after this paper: background citation

An Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Based Bowel Protocol for the Management of Constipation in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Pilot Study

TypeinterventionalSponsorNova Scotia Health AuthorityRan2017 to 2018Enrolled25ConditionsConstipation, Peritoneal Dialysis ComplicationArmsCurrent Bowel Protocol (senna/lactulose), PEG Bowel Protocol (PEG/lactulose)
NCT05341180 phase2 / phase3completednot on this mapstarted 2022, after this paper: background citation

Efficacy of Polyethylene Glycol vs Lactulose With Isabgol in Acute Fissure-in-Ano: A Randomized Control Trial (PEGASIS Trial)

TypeinterventionalSponsorAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, BhubaneswarRan2022 to 2023Enrolled144ConditionsAnal Fissure, ConstipationArmsPolyethylene Glycol, Isabgol + Lactulose
NCT06106685 phase1 / phase2recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Washed Microbiota Transplantation for Chronic Constipation in Adults: a Single-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Dose-exploring Clinical Study

TypeinterventionalSponsorThe Second Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityRan2023 to 2026Enrolled18ConditionsConstipationArmsHigh-dose washed microbiota suspension, Low-dose washed microbiota suspension, Placebo
NCT07277907 phase3recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Efficacy and Safety of Lubiprostone in the Treatment of Slow Transit Constipation: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorThird Military Medical UniversityRan2025 to 2027Enrolled346ConditionsSlow Transit Constipation, PharmacotherapyArmsLubiprostone, Polyethylene glycol (PEG )
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

105 citing papers in PubMed, 21 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 314 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Guideline
  3. [Seoul Consensus on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Functional Constipation].The Korean journal of gastroenterology = Taehan Sohwagi Hakhoe chi · 2025
    Guideline
  4. Pooled it
  5. Guideline
  6. Pooled it
  7. Pooled it
  8. Interventions for preventing postpartum constipation.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2020
    Pooled it
  9. MASCC recommendations on the management of constipation in patients with advanced cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2020
    Guideline
  10. Guideline
  11. Pharmacological treatment for antipsychotic-related constipation.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017
    Pooled it
  12. Pooled it
  13. Pooled it
  14. Pooled it
  15. Pooled it
  16. Pooled it
  17. Interventions for preventing postpartum constipation.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2015
    Pooled it
  18. Pooled it
  19. Pooled it
  20. Interventions for treating postpartum constipation.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2014
    Pooled it

45 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Heather Lee-RobichaudDepartment of General Surgery, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield, England, UK, S5 7AU.
Kathryn Thomas
Jenna Morgan
Richard L Nelson
Northern General Hospital · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundConstipation is a common clinical problem. Lactulose and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) are both commonly used osmotic laxatives that have been shown to be effective and safe treatments for chronic constipation. However, there is no definitive data as to which provides the best treatment.

objectivesTo identify and review all relevant data in order to determine whether Lactulose or Polyethylene Glycol is more effective at treating chronic constipation and faecal impaction. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the use of lactulose and polyethylene glycol in the management of faecal impaction and chronic constipation. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials which compared lactulose with polyethylene glycol in the management of chronic constipation. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data on study methods, participants, interventions used and outcomes measured was extracted from each study. Data was entered into the Cochrane Review Manager software (RevMan 5.0) and analysed using Cochrane MetaView. MAIN

resultsIn the present meta-analysis, we considered for the first time all ten randomised controlled trials so far performed. The findings of our work indicate that Polyethylene glycol is better than lactulose in outcomes of stool frequency per week, form of stool, relief of abdominal pain and the need for additional products. On subgroup analysis, this is seen in both adults and children, except for relief of abdominal pain. AUTHORS'

conclusionsPolyethylene Glycol should be used in preference to Lactulose in the treatment of Chronic Constipation.

Indexed as

ConstipationFecal ImpactionHumansLactuloseLaxativesPolyethylene GlycolsRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicLactuloseLaxativesPolyethylene Glycols

Identifiers

PMID20614462
PMCPMC13378879
OpenAlexW1959276090

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.