Fiber Regimens for Constipation Symptoms

Patients presenting to the urogynecology clinics at Parkland Health and Hospital System and
UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas from July 2003 to July 2005 were screened for
symptoms of constipation. Subjects were randomized to a 6-week course of either psyllium
(Konsyl, Konsyl Pharmaceuticals, Easton, MD) or a special bowel recipe. The bowel recipe was
a modification of that used by Behm and consisted of 1 cup of unprocessed wheat bran, 1 cup
of applesauce, and 1/4 cup of prune juice. A validated constipation scoring questionnaire12
was administered to participants at the beginning and at the end of the six-week study
period. During the six-week trial patients also kept a bowel diary recording characteristics
of each bowel movement.

Inclusion Criteria:

- fluent and literate in either English or Spanish.

- responds affirmatively to at least two symptoms according to Rome II criteria for
functional constipation, for at least 12 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

- pregnant or less than six weeks postpartum

- six weeks post abdominal surgery,

- colostomy

- history of bowel obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, diagnosis of slow colonic
transit time, spinal cord injury, neurogenic disease, myopathic disorders, or
cognitive impairment, history of an allergic reaction to psyllium or any of the
ingredients contained in the bowel recipe, such as wheat bran, prunes, or apples.