Abstract
BACKGROUND: Constipation, which is not an organic disease in the lower gastrointestinal tract, is a gastrointestinal symptom characteristic of elderly patients. Complaints of dyschezia increase with age, and it is difficult to treat in many cases. This study aimed to determine the appropriate treatment and its effects on intestinal immunity in elderly patients experiencing chronic constipation. METHODS: Patients experiencing difficulty defecating were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A was given only laxatives, whereas Group B was given laxatives combined with probiotics as an intervention. Both groups were compared based on the degree of improvement in constipation and its effects on the intestinal environment. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in constipation of elderly patients when probiotics were administered in combination with a laxative, suggesting that it may be a more effective treatment. Furthermore, the changes in the intestinal flora, examined before and after the intervention, tended to be associated with improvement of constipation. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the improvement of intestinal flora was somewhat achieved by relieving constipation. Because intestinal bacteria significantly influence intestinal immunity and, thus, systemic immunity of the entire body, the development of better treatments for constipation would help to improve both the intestinal environment and immune function in the elderly.