Efficacy and palatability of the developed polyethylene glycol-based formula for the treatment of children with functional constipation

Table 3 Secondary outcome measures (n = 52)

Secondary end points	PEG-Chula	Commercial PEG	P value
Dose of PEG 4000 (g/kg) (n = 51)	0.58 (0.39, 0.63)	0.6 (0.38, 0.82)	0.62
Compliance (n = 51)	94.17 (88.60, 100)	90.1 (77.67, 98.10)	0.33
Days with defecations per week (n = 51)	5.19 ± 1.23	4.95 ± 1.54	0.52
Change from baseline of painful defecation (n = 51)	-2.41 ± 1.41	-1.87 ± 1.29	0.17
Withholding behaviours after treatment (n = 40)	3 (15.79)	8 (38.09)	0.161
Large stool diameter after treatment (n = 36)	2 (10.53)	1 (5.88)	11
Fecal incontinence after treatment (n = 6)	1 (20)	0 (0)	11
Abdominal pain after treatment (n = 13)	0 (0)	1 (16.67)	0.461
Bloating/flatulence after treatment (n = 11)	1 (11.11)	0 (0)	11
Appetite loss after treatment (n = 9)	0 (0)	1 (33.33)	0.331
Anal fissure after treatment (n = 22)	3 (25)	1 (10)	0.591
Fulfill Rome IV criteria for functional constipation after treatment (n = 51)	0	1 (4)	0.301
Fecal contents detected by transabdominal ultrasonography (n = 51)	8 (30.77)	7 (28)	0.82

¹Fisher’s exact test.

Data were presented by mean ± SD, median (interquartile range) or n (%). PEG: Polyethylene glycol.