The optimal bowel preparation intervals before colonoscopy: A randomized study comparing polyethylene glycol and low-volume solutions
Abstract
Background & aims: The optimal duration of bowel preparation has only been assessed for polyethylene glycol (PEG). The aim of the study was to determine the intervals for achieving a satisfactory quality/tolerability of the preparation using PEG/ascorbic acid (PEGA) and sodium picosulphate/magnesium citrate (SPMC), and to compare them with 4L of PEG.
Methods: A randomized, endoscopist-blinded, multicentre study. The 612 outpatients referred to a colonoscopy, were prepared using PEG, SPMC, PEGA.
The quality, tolerability, duration of the preparation, and the interval from the end of the preparation to the colonoscopy was assessed. Results: Optimum duration of the preparation was similar for both PEG and SPMC (>= 7.3 vs. >= 8.8 h, overall >= 8.4 h).
Optimum interval to the colonoscopy was = 8.4 h and the time to colonoscopy <= 11.8 h.