Efficacy and safety of elobixibat in hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation: a retrospective study

Abstract

BackgroundHemodialysis patients are likely to develop constipation as a complication due to food and fluid restrictions. Elobixibat is a new laxative that inhibits the ileal bile acid transporter expressed in the terminal ileum, suppresses bile acid reabsorption, increases the amount of bile acid flowing into the colon lumen, and promotes water secretion in the colon and colon motility. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of elobixibat in maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation.MethodsIn a study conducted on maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation, comparisons were conducted retrospectively based on constipation symptoms such as the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements before elobixibat treatment and 12 weeks after the administration of elobixibat, as well as based on blood electrolyte levels.ResultsThe study was conducted on 23 patients, 19 of whom were subjected to treatment efficacy analysis. The frequency of spontaneous bowel movements was 2.0 ± 0.7 times/week before administration of elobixibat and reached 4.9 ± 2.3 times/week after 12 weeks of administration. The increase started after 1 week of treatment. Elobixibat treatment improved the constipation score (baseline, 10.4 ± 3.2; after 12 weeks, 5.7 ± 3.2), the Bristol Stool Form Scale (baseline, 2.2 ± 1.0; after 12 weeks, 4.2 ± 0.7), and patient satisfaction regarding defecation (baseline, 2.9 ± 0.9; after 12 weeks, 1.7 ± 1.1). The interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was 5.68 ± 0.82% before initiation of treatment and decreased to 4.54 ± 1.34% after 12 weeks. The serum inorganic phosphorus (IP) levels were 5.68 ± 1.25 mg/dL and decreased to 4.93 ± 1.10 mg/dL after 12 weeks.ConclusionsElobixibat was effective in improving constipation symptoms in maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation. Elobixibat also improved dialysis-related laboratory test results, such as a decrease in serum IP levels and IDWG.Trial registrationUMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000037285, retrospectively registered