The Incidence, Risk Factors, and Effects of Constipation in Critical Patients

The Incidence, Risk Factors, and Effects of Constipation in Critical Patients: An Observational Cross-sectional Study

This study aimed to investigate the early, late, and total constipation frequency, related factors, and their effects on the hospitalization day, gastric residual volume, vomiting, distension, and diarrhea, the feeding type, white blood cells, and C-Reactive Protein levels, and body temperature.

Constipation is one of the most encountered nursing problems in intensive care unit patients.

Constipation is an important issue, especially in intensive care patients, requiring careful discussion since it has negative effects as well as high incidence and excessive risk factors. Furthermore, untreated constipation in these patients delays enteral feeding prolonging the time of weaning from the mechanical ventilator, which consequently increases the duration of stay in the intensive care unit. Additionally, it involves complications such as distention, nausea-vomiting, an increase in bacterial infection rate, high morbidity, and mortality. Therefore, the definitions, risks, and effects of constipation, especially early and late constipation, in critically ill patients should be determined for evidence-based interventions. However, studies on the subject are limited.

Inclusion Criteria:

• >18 years
• Not abdominal surgery
• Not stoma
• Not constipation during admission
• Not intraperitoneal infection
• Not had a recent colonoscopy -> 5 hospitalization days

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having prolonged constipation and complications (such as decreased bowel sounds, and excessive distension)
• Order for regular laxatives or enemas
• Not meet inclusion criteria during follow-up