Vitamin drinks improve palatability and reduce adverse events associated to polyethylene glycol electrolyte solutions.

BACKGROUND

The unpleasant taste of polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been a hindrance to patients undergoing colonoscopy.

AIM

This study aims to determine whether the addition of a vitamin drink (Mizone) to the 4L split-dose PEG regimen would be effective in improving the solution's palatability, and reducing patient discomfort during bowel preparation.

METHODS

The present prospective, single endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled study randomly assigned patients into two groups: PEG + Mizone group (3.6 L of PEG solution plus 0.4 L of Mizone) and PEG group (4 L of PEG solution). Palatability was assessed using a Likert scale of 1-5. The adverse events, amount of unconsumed solution, and willingness to repeat the same process were recorded through a questionnaire. The present study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000034484).

RESULTS

A total of 132 patients were included. The demographic characteristics of these patients were comparable between the two groups. The palatability score (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) was higher in the PEG + Mizone group, when compared to the control group (4.00 ± 0.859 2.95 ± 0.999,  < 0.001). Furthermore, the incidence of nausea was lower in the PEG + Mizone group (9.1 % 28.8 %,  = 0.004), while the other adverse events were similar between the two groups. The percentage of the completely consumed pre-prepared solution was significantly greater in the PEG + Mizone group (95.5 % 78.8 %,  = 0.004). Furthermore, the willingness to repeat the same process was higher in the PEG + Mizone group (83.3 % 42.4 %,  < 0.001). However, the consumption of either of these preparations did not significantly affect the electrolyte and blood glucose levels, and renal function.

CONCLUSION

Compared to the conventional 4L PEG bowel preparation, the use of a vitamin drink (Mizone) as an adjuvant can improve the palatability, reduce adverse events, and increase the patient's willingness to undergo bowel preparation with the same regimen.