Observational studyNutrition & dietetics : the journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia2026
Laxative use and chronic diarrhoea in older adults living in residential care.
Observational study in Nutrition & dietetics : the journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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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.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Placement poverty: Why it matters to all dietitians.Nutrition & dietetics : the journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
aimsChronic diarrhoea in older adults in residential care is underreported. This study examined its prevalence, contributing factors, and impacts on the quality of life of older adults living in care throughout New Zealand.
methodsThis study had two components: (1) a retrospective observational study of resident clinical, medication, bowel chart and health care data from 36 residential care facilities electronically entered by nursing or care staff, and (2) an observational study in six facilities where residents completed validated gastrointestinal and quality of life questionnaires. Residents were categorised by bowel pattern (normal, constipation, and diarrhoea) using Rome IV criteria. Chi-square tests compared bowel patterns with quality of life outcomes. Associations between bowel symptom reporting in parts one and two were assessed using contingency tables.
resultsThe retrospective data of 2411 residents revealed that 26% (618/2411) experienced chronic diarrhoea, most of whom were taking laxatives (402/618), presumably for constipation. The prevalence of chronic diarrhoea in non-laxative users was 8.8% (214/2411). Proportions were similar in part two: 21% (23/110) of residents experienced chronic diarrhoea, half of whom were also charted laxatives (12/23). Chronic diarrhoea was negatively associated with quality of life (p < 0.001) and associated with an increased risk of pressure injuries (n = 80, 12.9%) compared to having normal bowel motions (n = 20, 7%) (p < 0.001).
conclusionsChronic diarrhoea commonly affects older adults living in residential care, with laxative use appearing a significant contributor. Living with chronic diarrhoea can negatively impact quality of life and may be associated with an increased risk of pressure injury.
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