Clinical Study on Jichuan Decoction(济川煎)for Functional Constipation in the Elderly

GAO Jing; LI Guorong; ZHANG Benyan; XU Cuiping

doi:10.16295/j.cnki.0257-358x.2023.12.005

Abstract：Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Jichuan Decoction(济川煎)on functional constipation in the elderly.Methods:A total of 153 patients with functional constipation aged 65 and above were divided into two groups.The research group was treated with Jichuan Decoction(78 patients)and the control group was treated with conventional treatment for functional constipation(75 patients).The frequency of defecation,fecal weight,fecal water content,fecal characteristics and SF-36(the MOS item form health survey)of the patients were evaluated weekly starting from 1 week before treatment.After 4 weeks of treatment,the efficacy of Jichuan Decoction was observed continuously for 4 weeks.The contents of bifidobacterium,lactobacillus,bacteroides,enterobacter and enterococcus were quantitatively detected by qPCR TaqMan probe method.In order to investigate the effect of Jichuan Decoction on intestinal microflora in elderly patients with functional constipation.Results:After 4 weeks of treatment,the frequency of stool increased from 2.2 times per week to 4～5 times per week in the research group.The average defecation weight increased from 75～80 g to 105～110 g each time,and the average Bristol score was about 2.58 times compared before treatment.Most patients showed dry,lumpy stool in sausage shape with cracks,and the scores were significantly improved after treatment,reaching about 4.The SF-36 score before treatment was lower than 50 points,but after treated with Jichuan Decoction,SF-36 score increased to 50～60 points.The above indicators in the research group is better than those in the control group.The numbers of enterobacterium and enterococcus were higher than those of bifidobacterium,bacteroides and lactobacillus before treatment.After treatment,the number of bifidobacterium,bacteroides and lactobacillus increased significantly,while the numbers of enterobacterium and enterococcus decreased significantly.In these specific bacteria groups,the number of bifidobacterium was the highest after treated with Jichuan Decoction.After treatment,the abundance of Bacteroides increased in the control group,while there no statistically significant changes in other bacterial communities.Conclusion:Jichuan Decoction can effectively improve intestinal flora homeostasis,relieve functional constipation and improve life quality of the elderly.