Early systemic nursing intervention for the incidence of constipation in depressed patients during treatment with amitriptyline

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of early systemic nursing intervention applied by ward nurse on constipation among patients with depression. Methods A total of 144 participants were divided into the intervention group (72 cases) andthe control group (72 cases) by random number table. Except for a period of 4 weeks routine nursing and 4 weeks follow-up observation which were applied for control subjects, systemic nursing interventions werealso conducted inintervention patients. The incidence of constipation and constipation symptom scoreswere measured at the ends of the 4th and 8th week of treatment. Results The incidences of constipation and constipation symptom scores of the 4th and 8th weekend in the intervention group were 17.6% (12/68), 6.59±4.08, 23.5% (16/68) and 6.81±3.99 respectively. While in the control group they were 34.9% (22/63), 8.84±4.45, 44.4% (28/63) and 10.52±3.86 respectively. These differences between two groups at the 4th and 8th weekend were all significant (χ2=5.077, t=3.023, P 0.05). Conclusions In patients with depression, early systemic nursing intervention can effectively ameliorate the constipation caused by amitriptyline. Key words: Earlyintervention; Constipation; Nursing care; Amitriptyline; Systemic