Published online Jun 28, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i24.4454
Peer-review started: December 30, 2016
First decision: February 9, 2017
Revised: March 1, 2017
Accepted: March 30, 2017
Article in press: March 30, 2017
Published online: June 28, 2017
Processing time: 179 Days and 12.5 Hours
To compare the tolerability and quality of bowel cleansing between 2 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) and reduced-dose sodium phosphate (NaP) tablets as a preparation for colonoscopy.
Two hundred patients were randomly assigned to the PEG or NaP groups at the same ratio. The NaP group patients took 30 tablets with 2 L of clear liquid, while the PEG group patients took 2L of PEG. Tolerability was assessed by a questionnaire about taste, volume, and the overall impression. The bowel cleansing quality was evaluated by colonoscopists.
Although NaP showed better tolerability in terms of taste, volume and overall impression (P < 0.01, P < 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively), the overall cleansing quality was better in the PEG group (P < 0.01). A subgroup analysis, stratified by sex and age, indicated that NaP was associated with better tolerability and equivalent bowel cleansing quality in females of < 50 years of age.
Despite the better tolerability, the use of 30 NaP tablets with 2 L of clear liquid should be limited due to its lower cleansing quality; however, in certain cases the regimen may deserve consideration, particularly in cases involving young women.
Core tip: Colonoscopy is indispensable for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal diseases. However, colonoscopy inevitably requires bowel preparation, which is sometimes burdensome to patients. We conducted a randomized clinical trial of the bowel preparation to seek the better tolerability and quality. We compared 2 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 30 sodium phosphate (NaP) tablets. Total 200 patients were randomly assigned to each group. We found that the cleansing quality was better in the PEG group, and NaP showed better tolerability. Especially in females of < 50 years of age, NaP was associated with better tolerability and equivalent bowel cleansing quality.