Lubiprostone and linaclotide as treatments for chronic constipation in hemodialysis patients at a long‒term care hospital

［Introduction］We evaluated the efficacy of lubiprostone and linaclotide against chronic constipation in hemodialysis（HD）patients at a long‒term care hospital.［Subjects］Twenty‒five HD patients with chronic constipation were enrolled in this study.［Methods］The patients were prescribed sennoside for 1 month. At the start of the study, the sennoside was changed to lubiprostone. After 1 month, lubiprostone was changed to sennoside once again. Then, 1 month later, the sennoside was changed to linaclotide.［Results］The non‒diabetic kidney disease group exhibited significantly lower serum inorganic phosphorus levels after 1 month’s lubiprostone therapy than at the initiation of the treatment. In addition, their Constipation Scoring System scores were significantly lower after 1 month’s linaclotide therapy than at the initiation of the treatment. However, in the diabetic kidney disease group, neither lubiprostone nor linaclotide caused any improvements.［Conclusion］It is postulated that lubiprostone and linaclotide are useful treatments for chronic constipation in HD patients with non‒diabetic kidney disease at long‒term care hospitals.