Randomized study comparing two regimens of oral sodium phosphates solution versus low-dose polyethylene glycol and...

Low-volume bowel preparation regimens for colonoscopy are reported to improve patient acceptance and compliance. We sought to compare the bowel cleansing efficacy, tolerability, and acceptability of three low-volume regimens: an oral sodium phosphates solution 45/45 ml (NaP-45/45), a reduced-dose oral sodium phosphates solution 45/30 ml (NaP-45/30), and polyethylene glycol plus bisacodyl (PEG-2L).

A total of 121 patients were evaluated (mean age 55.2 +/- 8.9 years). Bowel cleansings rated as excellent and good were significantly different among the groups: NaP-45/45 = 98%, NaP-45/30 = 88%, and PEG-2L = 76% (P < 0.04). Side effects were not significantly different except for greater thirst in the NaP-45/45 group (P = 0.001) and increased vomiting in females using PEG-2L (two-tailed interaction, P < 0.10). Willingness to retake the preparation was higher among the sodium phosphates regimens (88, 95, and 73%, respectively; P = 0.019).

Better cleansing and willingness to retake the regimen was achieved with the oral sodium phosphates solutions than with polyethylene glycol plus bisacodyl.