Comparing reduced-dose sodium phosphate tablets to 2 L of polyethylene glycol: A randomized study

Table 1 Baseline characteristics n (%)

	PEG	NaP	P value
	n = 98	n = 95
Age (range)	49.5 (22-64)	50 (27-64)	0.84
Sex (male)	39 (40)	42 (44)	0.56
Body mass index (range)	22.9 (16.4-32.4)	23.3 (13.1-39.3)	0.73
History of abdominal surgery	25 (26)	28 (30)	0.75
Stool frequency
Fewer than once a day	20 (21)	21 (22)	0.86
Once a day	60 (61)	55 (58)	0.66
Twice a day or more	18 (18)	19 (20)	0.86
Past colonoscopy	38 (39)	53 (56)	0.02
Indication for colonoscopy
FOBT positive or rectal bleeding	55 (56)	46 (48)	0.31
Follow-up for polyps	20 (20)	18 (19)	0.86
Screening	10 (10)	13 (14)	0.51
Change in bowel habit	8 (8)	13 (14)	0.25
Others	5 (5)	5 (5)	1.00

The P values were calculated by the χ² test or Mann-Whitney test. PEG: Polyethylene glycol; NaP: Sodium phosphate; FOBT: Fecal occult blood test.

Table 2 Subgroup analysis for taste, volume and overall impression

				Easy	Relatively easy	Slightly difficult	Difficult	P value
Taste	Male	Age ≤ 49	PEG	5	12	14	2	0.36
			NaP	5	16	9	0
		Age ≥ 50	PEG	0	16	9	1	0.09
			NaP	4	14	5	0
	Female	Age ≤ 49	PEG	0	7	7	3	0.01
			NaP	3	12	2	0
		Age ≥ 50	PEG	3	7	10	2	0.24
			NaP	2	14	9	0
Volume	Male	Age ≤ 49	PEG	5	11	15	2	0.11
			NaP	8	15	7	0
		Age ≥ 50	PEG	3	12	10	1	0.18
			NaP	6	13	4	0
	Female	Age ≤ 49	PEG	0	7	7	3	0.06
			NaP	4	8	5	0
		Age ≥ 50	PEG	3	6	10	3	0.15
			NaP	3	13	9	0
Overall impression	Male	Age ≤ 49	PEG	4	15	11	3	0.05
			NaP	11	14	4	1
		Age ≥ 50	PEG	4	18	3	1	0.26
			NaP	8	11	4	0
	Female	Age ≤ 49	PEG	0	9	7	1	< 0.01
			NaP	6	9	1	1
		Age ≥ 50	PEG	4	10	5	3	1.00
			NaP	5	12	5	3

The P values were calculated by Fisher’s exact test. PEG: Polyethylene glycol; NaP: Sodium phosphate.

Table 3 Subgroup analysis for the quality of bowel cleansing

			Good	Fair	Poor	P value
Male	Age ≤ 49	PEG	22	9	2	0.30
		NaP	15	14	1
	Age ≥ 50	PEG	17	9	0	0.22
		NaP	11	10	2
Female	Age ≤ 49	PEG	13	3	1	0.07
		NaP	7	9	1
	Age ≥ 50	PEG	20	1	1	0.01
		NaP	14	11	0

The P values were calculated by Fisher’s exact test. PEG: Polyethylene glycol; NaP: Sodium phosphate.