This single-arm, open-label pilot clinical trial will test the hypothesis that SCD-2101, a Chinese herbal medicine formula, will have efficacy in alleviating constipation in elderly individuals with functional constipation. All participants (n=14) will receive 2 weeks of intervention and 2 weeks of follow-up.
(1) Age ≥ 60 years old (2) Meet the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for functional constipation (3) Complete spontaneous bowel movements ≤ 2 times per week, to be assessed based on a 2-week electronic diary record (CSBMs are defined as the number of times within a 24-hour period that the patient can defecate spontaneously without the use of laxatives or enemas and feels that the stool is completely evacuated) (4) Have colonoscopy results with a diagnosis of no significant abnormalities seen or no more than 3 colorectal polyps, each less than 0.5 cm in size (based on results within the last 5 years before screening) (5) Understand and be able to follow written and oral instructions in Chinese (6) Capable of independently using WhatsApp and an electronic diary, and completing a 2-week electronic diary record during the screening period (7) The subject is informed and voluntarily signs the informed consent form.
(1) Secondary constipation (constipation caused by drugs or other diseases); (2) Currently using or requiring continued use of medications that may affect the outcomes of the trial (including but not limited to: antibiotics, hormonal drugs, analgesics, neurotransmitter drugs, gut flora-regulating medications, etc.); (3) Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy reveals clinically significant abnormalities; (4) Clinically significant abnormalities in laboratory tests or imaging examinations within the last 6 months; (5) History of allergy to traditional Chinese medicine; (6) History of abdominal surgery within the past year (except for laparoscopic appendectomy); (7) Patients with psychiatric diseases or those requiring the use of psychotropic drugs; (8) Deemed by the researchers as unsuitable to participate in this study for psychological or physical reasons.
Single group
SCD-2101
DrugTradictional Chinese Medicine formula (SCD-2101)
Response rate of Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movements (CSBM)
A CSBM responder is defined as a patient who meets the CSBM responder criterion (i.e., a mean increase of CSBM≥1/week compared with CSBM at baseline, in at least 2 out of 4 weeks). A spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) is defined as a bowel movement without laxative use in the preceding 24 hours. A CSBM is defined as a SBM that is associated with a sense of complete evacuation. Baseline of weekly CSBM will be the average between Week -2 and Week 0.
Change in the number of Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movements (CSBM) per week compared to baseline
A spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) is defined as a bowel movement without laxative use in the preceding 24 hours. A CSBM is defined as a SBM that is associated with a sense of complete evacuation. Baseline of weekly CSBM will be the average between Week -2 and Week 0.
Change in the number of Spontaneous Bowel Movements (SBM) per week compared to baseline
weekly Spontaneous Bowel Movement (SBM)
Types and severity of adverse reactions after taking the medication
Assessed by number of adverse events or side effects
Safety Outcomes: (1) Any adverse reaction symptoms/adverse events occurring after the trial treatment
Assessed by number of adverse events or side effects
Safety Outcomes: (2) General physical examination items (including heart rate, blood pressure, etc.)
Assessed by number of adverse events or side effects
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