Putting evidence into practice: evidence-based interventions for the prevention and management of constipation in patients with cancer.

Full Abstract

Constipation is a major source of distress for patients with cancer, significantly affecting quality of life. It can be secondary to disease sequelae, side effects of treatment, or preexisting conditions. It often is unrecognized, underassessed, and ineffectively managed. Nurses play a key role in the prevention and management of constipation and need evidence-based interventions. This article summarizes the existing research evidence for constipation interventions and identifies gaps. Many of the strategies have been evaluated in nononcology populations; researchers should evaluate their effectiveness in oncology populations.

Author information

Author/s: Woolery, Myra (M); Bisanz, Annette (A); Lyons, Hannah F (HF); Gaido, Lindsay (L); Yenulevich, Mary (M); Fulton, Stephanie (S); McMillan, Susan C (SC);

Affiliation: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. mwoolery(-atsign-)cc.nih.gov

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Clinical journal of oncology nursing (Clin J Oncol Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Apr; vol 12 (issue 2) : pp 317-37

Dates: Created 2008/04/08; Completed 2008/06/19;

PMID: 18390467, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

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