Adding Semi Elemental Enteral Nutrition Formula Improves Tolerance Without Compromising Bowel Preparation Quality for...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Medical Procedures

Background:

• Conventional bowel preparation often involves restrictive diets for up to 72 hours.
• The unpleasant nature of bowel prep leads to poor patient compliance and suboptimal colon cleansing.
• Dietary modifications are explored to enhance patient tolerance and adherence to bowel preparation regimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of a low-residue semi-elemental enteral formula (LREF) incorporated diet versus a standard diet for polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based bowel preparation.
• To determine if LREF diet improves tolerability without compromising bowel cleanliness.
• To assess patient compliance and willingness to repeat the procedure.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled noninferiority trial.
• 167 patients were randomized to either the LREF group or the standard diet (SD) group using a 3L PEG preparation regimen.
• Noninferiority margin was set at 15%.

Main Results:

• The LREF group demonstrated comparable bowel preparation quality to the standard diet group (mean BPPS scores: 6.87 vs 7.14).
• No significant difference was found in PEG compliance, willingness to repeat, or tolerance between the groups.
• Equivalence in bowel cleanliness was statistically demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• A low-residue semi-elemental enteral formula (LREF) incorporated diet is equivalent to standard diets for achieving satisfactory bowel cleanliness in PEG-based preparation.
• LREF-incorporated regimens can be considered for patients struggling with prolonged fasting.
• This approach may improve the procedural experience for patients undergoing colonoscopy.