Abstract
Objective (Background):
In recent years, the proportion of elderly participants in population-based gastric cancer screening with barium X-ray examination has increased, placing them at higher risk of adverse events due to delayed barium excretion. Promoting smooth elimination of barium is therefore of critical importance. Many previous studies have demonstrated that resistant maltodextrin is effective for improving constipation and difficulty in defecation. This study evaluated the effect of a resistant maltodextrin-containing beverage, Project F 500 mL (dextrin water), which the Miyagi Cancer Association began distributing throughout Miyagi Prefecture in 2023.
Subjects and Methods:
A total of 751,579 examinees who underwent population-based gastric cancer screening with barium X-ray between 2019 and 2024 were included. Post-examination telephone consultations were categorized and analyzed. Consultation rates before distribution (2019–2022) and after distribution (2023–2024) were compared. Multivariable logistic regression models, including interaction terms, were applied to adjust for age, sex, screening year, and potential confounders.
Results:
Before distribution, there were 20 consultations per 10,000 examinees, whereas after distribution the number decreased to nine (odds ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.38–0.51). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that distribution of dextrin water was independently associated with a significant reduction in consultations (odds ratio 0.42, 95% CI: 0.33–0.54), with no significant interaction by age or sex. The reduction was largely attributable to fewer consultations regarding constipation or difficulty in defecation. Importantly, there were no reports regarding deleterious effects associated with ingestion of dextrin water.
Conclusions:
Distribution of dextrin water significantly reduced post-examination telephone consultations, particularly those related to constipation, among participants in population-based gastric cancer screening with barium X-ray. This simple intervention was effective across all age groups and appears to be particularly valuable in elderly populations, who are at increased risk of defecation-related complications. These findings highlight the potential of dextrin water as a safe, effective, and scalable public health intervention to facilitate barium elimination and improve safety in population-based gastric cancer screening programs.
