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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
06:28
E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Comparative study on two colonic bowel preparations for patients with chronic constipation.
Huimin Chen1, Xiaobo Li, Zhizheng Ge
1Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
|November 14, 2008
Summary
Oral sodium phosphate offers comparable safety and tolerance to polyethylene glycol for chronic constipation patients undergoing colonoscopy. It may provide superior bowel preparation quality, including fewer air bubbles and more bowel movements.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Colorectal Surgery
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Chronic constipation affects a significant portion of the population, necessitating effective bowel preparation for colonoscopy.
- Current bowel preparation agents, such as polyethylene glycol, have varying efficacy and tolerance profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy, tolerance, and safety of oral sodium phosphate versus polyethylene glycol for colonoscopy preparation in patients with chronic constipation.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized study involving 100 patients with chronic constipation undergoing colonoscopy.
- Patients received either sodium phosphate (Group A) or polyethylene glycol (Group B). A control group (Group C) received polyethylene glycol.
- Bowel preparation quality was assessed by a blinded endoscopist; laboratory tests and adverse effect questionnaires were administered.
Main Results:
- Sodium phosphate demonstrated superior bowel preparation quality compared to polyethylene glycol, with fewer air bubbles and increased defecations.
- Both preparations showed similar patient acceptance and prevalence of adverse effects.
- Transient hyperphosphatemia occurred in four patients receiving sodium phosphate, without clinical symptoms or hypocalcemia.
Conclusions:
- Oral sodium phosphate is a safe and well-tolerated alternative to polyethylene glycol for bowel preparation in chronic constipation patients.
- Sodium phosphate may offer enhanced bowel preparation quality for colonoscopy in this patient population.
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