Effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Care for Inpatients with Eating Disorders who Abuse Laxatives

  • Yamamoto Yurie
    Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Department of Pharmacy, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine
  • Shoji Masayasu
    Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine
  • Hosokawa Mariko
    Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine
  • Murakami Masafumi
    Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine
  • Tamura Naho
    Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine
  • Kawai Keisuke
    Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 摂食障害患者の下剤乱用に対する病棟薬剤師介入の有効性
  • セッショク ショウガイ カンジャ ノ ゲザイ ランヨウ ニ タイスル ビョウトウ ヤクザイシ カイニュウ ノ ユウコウセイ

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Abstract

<p>Background : Laxative abuse is one of the prognostic of poor treatment success for patients with eating disorders (ED).</p><p>Subjects : We investigated the effect of an educational program done by pharmacists during inpatient treatment, aimed at reducing the consumption of laxatives and improving the patient’s attitude toward constipation.</p><p>Method : By use of medical records and interviews, we also estimated the amount of over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives used. The study was done of 33 patients who abused laxatives, with a one-year follow-up.</p><p>Results : 1) There was no significant change in the prescription of laxatives between admission and discharge (p=0.435). However, we speculate that the total amount of laxatives decreased, in consideration of the amount of preadmission OTC abuse. 2) Under the instruction of the chief physician and in collaboration with other members of the medical staff, a pharmacist actively, tenderly, and with understanding educated the patients in the proper use of laxatives, keeping in mind the psychology of ED patients. As a result, the patients were able to change their cognition about laxatives and their strong feelings about their bowel symptoms. 3) Comparison of the amount of laxative abuse before admission and one year after discharge suggested that low preadmission laxative abuse (p=0.000) and intervention of the pharmacist (p=0.029) were factors in reduced OTC laxative abuse after discharge.</p><p>Conclusion : We described the role of the pharmacist and the usefulness of a team approach for patients with ED who abuse laxatives. Education by a pharmacist about OTC laxative abuse was useful.</p>

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