Incidence and predictors of inadequate bowel preparation before elective colonoscopy in Thai patients

The incidence of inadequate bowel preparation before elective colonoscopy in this region has never been studied.

The authors prospectively described the incidence and factors related to inadequate bowel preparation in Thammasat university hospital. Bowel preparation quality was accessed by using Aronchick scale. Factors associated with inadequate bowel preparation were also recorded.

Two hundred patients undergoing elective outpatient colonoscopy were enrolled. Inadequate and fair bowel preparation was documented in 9 and 43%, respectively. Factors associated with inadequate bowel preparation were incomplete cleansing agent ingestion (odds ratio 7.7; 95%CI 1.62-36.64) and patient's unrecognization of vegetable avoidance (odds ratio 3.26; 95%CI 1.14-9.28).

Compared with previous reported, inadequate bowel preparation was seen less in our study, however, more patients with fair bowel preparation was documented. Further study aiming at investigating the type and amount of fiber contained in diet before elective colonoscopy should be commenced.