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Published on: August 1, 2019
Adequacy Rate of Magnesium Citrate Bowel Preparation in a Large Retrospective Cohort
Mohd Amer AlSamman1, Stephanie Leung2, Abdelmoniem Moustafa3
1former Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Alpert Medical School of Brown University; Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellow, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC.
Introduction:
Magnesium Citrate (MC) is not FDA approved as a colonoscopy preparation. Advantages include low cost, small volume and accessibility without prescription. We retrospectively evaluated bowel preparations used in a private gastroenterology practice. The sample size is the largest for any similar studies (n =19,173).
Methods:
Electronic Medical Records were queried for colonoscopies between 2010-2016. Bowel preps, indications (screening vs. other) and preparation adequacy were all recorded. Adequacy rates were calculated and compared using generalized linear modeling. Data were analyzed using SAS.
Results:
The most common prep used was MC 2 bottles; screening (n=6,064, with 98.94% adequacy) and non-screening (n=3,251, with 99.29% adequacy), followed by MC 3 bottles; screening (n=2,757 with 90.35% adequacy), and non-screening (n=1,925 with 92.92% adequacy).
Conclusion:
MC bowel preparation is adequate, well tolerated, and inexpensive. In a large retrospective analysis, it compares favorably to other preparations.
Insights
Magnesium Citrate (MC) is an effective and inexpensive colonoscopy preparation, showing high adequacy rates in a large study. This widely accessible option compares favorably to other preps for bowel cleansing.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Practice
Background:
- Magnesium Citrate (MC) is an accessible, low-cost colonoscopy preparation not FDA-approved.
- This study evaluated MC's efficacy in a large, private gastroenterology practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively evaluate the adequacy of Magnesium Citrate (MC) for colonoscopy preparation.
- To compare MC's effectiveness against other bowel preparations.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 19,173 colonoscopies performed between 2010-2016.
- Electronic Medical Records were queried for bowel prep used, indication, and preparation adequacy.
- Adequacy rates were compared using generalized linear modeling and SAS analysis.
Main Results:
- Magnesium Citrate (MC) in 2-bottle doses achieved high adequacy rates: 98.94% for screening and 99.29% for non-screening colonoscopies.
- MC in 3-bottle doses showed slightly lower, yet still favorable, adequacy: 90.35% (screening) and 92.92% (non-screening).
- MC was the most frequently used prep in the study cohort.
Conclusions:
- Magnesium Citrate (MC) demonstrates adequate bowel preparation for colonoscopy.
- MC is a well-tolerated, inexpensive option that favorably compares to other preparations.
- The findings support MC as a viable colonoscopy prep in clinical practice.
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