Low-Volume Polyethylene Glycol with Ascorbic Acid for Colonoscopy Preparation in Elderly Patients: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Colorectal Surgery
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Limited data exist on low-volume purgatives for elderly patients (≥65 years).
• Colonoscopy preparation efficacy and tolerability are crucial for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the bowel-cleansing efficacy and patient tolerability of split-dose 2-liter polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (2L-PEGA).
• To compare 2L-PEGA with standard 4-liter polyethylene glycol (4L-PEG) regimens in elderly outpatients.

Main Methods:

• Randomized trial comparing single-dose 4L-PEG, split-dose 4L-PEG, and split-dose 2L-PEGA.
• Bowel preparation quality assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS).
• Patient tolerability and adverse events were recorded.

Main Results:

• Split-dose 2L-PEGA achieved adequate bowel preparation in 92.1% of elderly patients, significantly higher than single-dose 4L-PEG (75.0%, p = 0.009).
• Global and right colon BBPS scores were comparable to split-dose 4L-PEG and superior to single-dose 4L-PEG.
• Higher patient adherence (96.8%) and willingness to repeat 2L-PEGA compared to single-dose 4L-PEG; adverse events were similar across groups.

Conclusions:

• Split-dose 2L-PEGA is an effective, safe, and comfortable colonoscopy preparation method for elderly outpatients.
• This low-volume regimen enhances patient compliance and satisfaction in geriatric populations.