Impact of Prepackaged Low-Residue Diet on Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy: A Meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of prepackaged low-residue diet (PLRD) on bowel preparation for colonoscopy. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to August 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PLRD with clear liquid diet (CLD) or self-prepared LRD were considered for inclusion. The analysis calculated the odds ratio (OR) for the rate of adequate bowel preparation, patient tolerance, willingness to repeat bowel preparation, tolerability of bowel preparation, and overall adverse effects. Five RCTs published between 2006 and 2019 (N = 561) were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with the traditional CLD or self-prepared LRD, PLRD showed significantly higher rates of adequate bowel preparation (OR, 2.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-3.98; p = .01), patient tolerance (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.30-3.07; p = .002), and willingness to repeat the bowel preparation (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.05-2.70; p = .03), with no differences in adverse events (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.59-1.46; p = .75). Prepackaged low-residue diet improved bowel preparation quality, patient tolerance, and willingness to repeat bowel preparations. Importantly, PLRD does not increase the incidence of adverse events. This suggests that it is effective and safe to use PLRD for bowel preparation before colonoscopy.