WATER SUPPLEMENTATION ENHANCES THE EFFECT OF HIGH-FIBER DIET ON STOOLFREQUENCY AND LAXATIVE CONSUMPTION IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect s of a high-fiber diet and fluid supplementation in patients with func tional chronic constipation METHODOLOGY: One hundred and seventeen pat ients with chronic functional constipation (aged 18-50 years) were ran domly divided into two treatment groups. For two months both groups co nsumed a standard diet providing approximately 25 g fiber per day. Gro up 1 (58 patients) was allowed ad libitum fluid intake, while Group 2 was instructed to drink 2 liters of mineral water perday. Compliance w as monitored throughout the study and results were assessed in terms o f bowel-movement frequency and laxative use. RESULTS: Fiber intake was similar in the two groups, while total daily fluid intake in Group 2 (mean 2.1 liters) was significantly greater than that of Group 1 (1.1 liters) (p<0.001). In both groups, there were statistically significan t increases in stool frequency and decreases in laxative use during th e two-month trial, but both changes were greater in Group 2 (stool fre quency: p<0.001 vs. Group 1; laxative use: p<0.001 vs Group 1). CONCLU SIONS: A daily fiber intake of 25 g can increase stool frequency in pa tients with chronic functional constipation, and this effect can be si gnificantly enhanced by increasing fluid intake to 1.5-2.0 liters/day.