Laxative use
What this marker measures
Whether the patient reported taking laxatives in the past week.
Health categories/Interpretations informed by this marker
Gut function
● Slower colonic transit: patients who are reliant on laxatives may need them to counter a slower colonic transit.1
Interpreting the result
Patient management insights
Tips for patients discussion
"Your questionnaire responses show that you've used laxatives recently. Many people rely on them to stay regular, and that can be a sign your bowel is moving a little slowly. A gentle fibre supplement called PHGG may help reduce how often you need them, and we'll look at your other results to see what else might help."
Source references for all clinical associations, interpretation definitions, and patient management insights on this card.
1. Bohlin, J. et al. Longer colonic transit time is associated with laxative and drug use, lifestyle factors, and symptoms of constipation. Acta Radiol Open 7, 2058460118807232 (2018).
2. Kapoor, M. P. et al. Impact of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) on constipation prevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Funct Foods 33, 52–66 (2017).
3. Polymeros, D. et al. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum accelerates colonic transit time and improves symptoms in adults with chronic constipation. Dig Dis Sci 59, 2207–2214 (2014).
4. Russo, L. et al. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: effects of gender, age, and body mass index. Saudi J Gastroenterol 21, 104–110 (2015).