A pilot randomized placebo-controlled study on modified MaZiRenWan: a formulated Chinese medicine to relieve constipation for palliative cancer patients

Table 1 Patient demographic and baseline data

Variable	MZRW group (n = 30)	Placebo group (n = 30)	P value
Age, mean (SD), y	72.83 (12.24)	77.50 (10.49)	.118
Women^a, n (%)	17 (56.67%)	12 (40.00%)	.196
TCM patterns
Qi deficiency pattern, n (%)	21 (70.00%)	23 (76.67%)	.559
Other patterns
Yin Deficiency, n (%)	4 (13.33%)	3 (10.00%)	NA
Yang Deficiency, n (%)	4 (13.33%)	3 (10.00%)	NA
Heat, n (%)	1 (3.33%)	0 (0)	NA
Blood Deficiency, n (%)	0 (0)	1 (3.33%)	NA
Palliative Performance Scale, mean (SD)	68.67 (8.90)	66.33 (6.69)	.256
No. of stool opening/week, mean (SD)	4.33 (2.96)	4.40 (3.82)	.940
Bristol stool type^b, mean (SD)	2.63 (1.63)	3.17 (1.72)	.223
Severity of constipation^c, mean (SD)	4.73 (1.19)	4.90 (1.17)	.586
Individual constipation related symptoms^d
Sensation of straining, mean (SD)	3.82 (1.30)	3.78 (1.40)	.924
Incomplete evacuation, mean (SD)	3.12 (1.92)	2.97 (2.11)	.775
Bloating, mean (SD)	2.23 (2.10)	2.03 (1.94)	.703
Abdominal pain/cramping, mean (SD)	1.23 (1.63)	1.33 (1.81)	.823
Nausea, mean (SD)	1.58 (1.88)	0.70 (1.42)	.044
Passing of gas, mean (SD)	2.77 (1.77)	2.87 (1.82)	.830
Prescription of strong opioids, n (%)	9 (42.86%)	8 (36.36%)	1.000

^aP value based on Pearson chi−square test method
^bBristol stool type was measured as 1−7point ranging from “separate hard lumps” to “watery”
^cSeverity of constipation were assessed as 0−7points ranging from not at all to very severe
^dIndividual constipation related symptoms were assessed as 0−6points ranging from not at all to very severe

ISSN: 1749-8546