Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included.
Specific interventions included in the review
Bulk, stimulant, osmotic and softening (surfactant) laxatives. Specific treatments included in the review were psyllium, ispaghula, bran, prucara, lactulose, lactitol, propylethylene glycol, docusate sodium, docusate calcium, cisapride, senna, agiolax, lunelax, calcium polycarbophil, methylcellulose, magnesium hydroxide, laxamucil, sorbitol, dorbanex and sodium picosulphate.
Participants included in the review
Patients with a constipation for a minimum of two weeks, whose constipation was treated for a minimum of one week. Patients from special populations, such as peripartum and tube-fed patients, were excluded.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Mean bowel movement frequency per week; symptom improvement, and reduction in abdominal pain; need for breakthrough laxatives; and stool consistency. Not all trials included assessment of all of these outcomes.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two independent reviewers selected the papers for the review.