Abstract
In order to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy,5-HT3 antagonists are widely used.However,we noticed that the incidence of constipation following the co-administration of anticancer agents and 5-HT3 antagonists in chemotherapy seemed to be higher than stated in the package inserts.To investigate this further,we sent a questionnaire regarding constipation to patients who received cancer-chemotherapy at our hospital in which 5-HT3 antagonists had been co-administered.We also investigated the degree of satisfaction of patients with the measures we took against constipation.
The incidence of constipation was high (68%) on the day of cancer chemotherapy in which 5-HT3 antagonists were coadministered,or on the following day.The incidence of constipation without the co-administration of 5-HT3 antagonists was 6%.Among patients who experienced loss of appetite after cancer chemotherapy,63% complained of constipation.There was a significant difference in the incidence of constipation between patients with loss of appetite and those with no loss of appetite.
We feel that the high incidence of constipation following cancer chemotherapy was caused by the combination of the 5- HT3 antagonists and a decreased food intake.Among patients with loss of appetite,18% had difficulty in getting over the constipation and this suggests that the resulting lowered QOL could hinder the continuation of chemotherapy.We therefore consider that it is important to reduce adverse reactions in chemotherapy by administering preventive drugs thereby improving QOL.
