Efficacy of bowel preparation with the use of a prepackaged, low fibre diet with a low sodium, magnesium citrate cathartic vs. a clear liquid diet with a standard sodium phosphate cathartic.

BACKGROUND

A colon free of faecal residue is required for accurate diagnostic colonoscopy. Patient tolerance of his/her colonoscopy cathartic regimen affects patient compliance and willingness to undergo repeated examinations.

AIM

To determine whether a meal could be consumed during standard bowel preparation.

METHODS

This was a randomized, endoscopists' blinded comparison of the tolerability and efficacy of a prepackaged, low-residue diet (NutraPrep) combined with the LoSo Prep bowel cleansing system, which contains magnesium citrate, bisocodyl tablets and a bisocodyl suppository (NP-LS regimen), compared with a clear liquid diet and a double-dose sodium phosphate (Fleet Phospho-soda) regimen (2F regimen). Outcome measures included efficacy of bowel preparation, patient preparation tolerability, side-effects and patient safety.

RESULTS

A total of 506 patients completed the study, 222 randomized to 2F and 284 to NP-LS. The NP-LS regimen resulted in significantly better colon cleansing in terms of the proportion with good or excellent results (P = 0.025) and in significantly better patient tolerance and willingness to repeat the cathartic preparation (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The NP-LS regimen proved superior to the 2F regimen.