The EPEC-O Curriculum is produced by the EPEC TM Project with major funding provided by NCI, with supplemental funding provided by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care - Oncology The Project EPEC-O TM

EPECEPECOOEPECEPECOOO EPECEPECOOEPECEPECOOO Module 3f Symptoms – Constipation Module 3f Symptoms – Constipation EPEC – Oncology Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care – Oncology

Constipation... l Straining l Hard stool l Sensation of Incomplete evacuation Anorectal obstruction l Fewer than 3 BM / week l 12 weeks duration > 2 symptoms l Straining l Hard stool l Sensation of Incomplete evacuation Anorectal obstruction l Fewer than 3 BM / week l 12 weeks duration > 2 symptoms

... Constipation Epidemiology l Impact: abdominal discomfort / pain, nausea and vomiting l Prevalence: up to 90 % among cancer patients treated with opioids l Prognosis: can limit prognosis if untreated Management always possible Epidemiology l Impact: abdominal discomfort / pain, nausea and vomiting l Prevalence: up to 90 % among cancer patients treated with opioids l Prognosis: can limit prognosis if untreated Management always possible

Key points 1.Pathophysiology 2.Assessment 3.Management 1.Pathophysiology 2.Assessment 3.Management

Pathophysiology l Medications Opioids Calcium-channel blockers Anticholinergic l Decreased motility l Ileus l Mechanical obstruction l Medications Opioids Calcium-channel blockers Anticholinergic l Decreased motility l Ileus l Mechanical obstruction l Metabolic abnormalities l Spinal cord compression l Dehydration l Autonomic dysfunction l Malignancy

Assessment l Specifically ask about bowel function l Establish what is normal for patient l Specifically ask about bowel function l Establish what is normal for patient

Management l General measures Regular toileting Gastrocolic reflex Activity l General measures Regular toileting Gastrocolic reflex Activity l Specific measures SoftenersOsmoticsStimulantsLubricants Large volume enemas

Stool softeners ( detergent laxatives) l Sodium docusate l Calcium docusate l Phospho-soda enema PRN l Sodium docusate l Calcium docusate l Phospho-soda enema PRN

Stimulant laxatives l Prune juice l Senna l Casanthranol l Bisacodyl l Prune juice l Senna l Casanthranol l Bisacodyl

Osmotic laxatives l Lactulose or sorbitol l Milk of magnesia (other Mg salts) l Magnesium citrate l Polyethylene glycol l Lactulose or sorbitol l Milk of magnesia (other Mg salts) l Magnesium citrate l Polyethylene glycol Lederle FA, et al. Am J Med, Attar A, et al. Gut, 1999.

Lubricants / enemas l Glycerin suppositories l Phosphate enema l Oil retention enema l Tap water, 500 – 1,000 ml l Glycerin suppositories l Phosphate enema l Oil retention enema l Tap water, 500 – 1,000 ml

Constipation from opioids... l Occurs with all opioids l Pharmacological tolerance develops slowly, or not at all l Dietary interventions alone usually not sufficient l Avoid bulk-forming agents in debilitated patients l Occurs with all opioids l Pharmacological tolerance develops slowly, or not at all l Dietary interventions alone usually not sufficient l Avoid bulk-forming agents in debilitated patients Bagnol D, et al. Neuroscience, 1997.

... Constipation from opioids l Combination stimulant / softeners are useful first-line medications Casanthranol + docusate sodium Senna + docusate sodium l Prokinetic agents l Opioid antagonists l Combination stimulant / softeners are useful first-line medications Casanthranol + docusate sodium Senna + docusate sodium l Prokinetic agents l Opioid antagonists Sykes NP. Palliat Med, 2000.

EPECEPECOOEPECEPECOOO EPECEPECOOEPECEPECOOO Summary Use comprehensive assessment and pathophysiology-based therapy to treat the cause and improve the cancer experience