A new palatable oral rehydration solution. A randomised controlled crossover study in patients with a high output stoma.

Culkin, Alison; Gabe, Simon; Nightingale, Jeremy

BACKGROUND Patients with a jejunostomy or high output stoma may need a glucose-sodium oral rehydration solution drink to maintain hydration. These solutions are unpalatable and a new flavoured pre-packaged solution was developed. METHOD After 8 hours of fasting, 27 patients took 500 ml of the modified WHO cholera solution or Glucodrate® on 2 occasions in a crossover random order and urine and stomal output was collected for 6 hours. RESULTS There was a small but significant difference in net sodium absorption in favour of the modified WHO cholera solution (10±28mmol modified WHO cholera solution vs -1±26mmol Glucodrate®, p=0.01). However the Glucodrate® was more palatable with 24 patients (89%) preferring it to the modified WHO cholera solution (p<0.005). CONCLUSION Glucodrate® is a more palatable solution than the modified WHO cholera solution and is almost as effective so can be used when patients find the modified WHO cholera solution unpalatable. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.