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Abstract
Aim: To determine the effect of bulking and osmotic laxation regimens on reducing rectal gas in patients receiving external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Methods: A single blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants assigned to the intervention group (IG) were instructed to consume a bulking laxative and probiotic and the standard care group (SC) instructed to consume an osmotic laxative. Both groups followed a standard low gas diet. Rectal gas ratings were determined from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Dietary and laxative compliance, bowel habits, fiber and fluid intakes were determined from food diaries.
Results: Demographic characteristics were not significantly different between the two treatment arms. The mean age was 74 years. Participants were randomized into the IG (n = 8) and SC group (n = 9). Analysis of 433 CBCT scans indicate the odds of a higher rectal gas rating were significantly increased for the IG compared with the SC group (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.77–5.78, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The osmotic laxative was more effective at achieving lower rectal gas levels than a bulking laxative with probiotic in this study. Larger studies of commonly used laxatives are required to develop recommendations for bowel preparation during radiotherapy to the prostate.
Disclosure Statement
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Funding
Funding support for allocated research time for the Principal Investigator was provided by the New South Wales Health Education and Training Institute through the Rural Research Capacity Building Program.