Probiotics in the treatment of senile constipation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Review question / Objective: Is probiotic therapy as effective or more effective than existing treatments in relieving the severity of constipation and improving the patient's mental status and quality of life in elderly patients with constipation? Do probiotic treatments pose greater risks than existing treatments for older patients with constipation? Condition being studied: Constipation is a common digestive disorder with a worldwide prevalence of 14-30%, and the prevalence increases with age. Constipation seriously impairs patients' quality of life, leads to significant medical costs, and places a burden on the healthcare system. For constipation, Western medicine uses lifestyle changes, medication, psychotherapy, biofeedback, and surgery to treat the condition.