Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 9, 2025
E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Comparing low volume versus intermediate volume bowel preparation and their impact on work and tolerability: an
Milou L M van Riswijk1, Fleur A Indemans2, Kimberly Hawinkels3
1Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Background:
Bowel preparation is essential for colonoscopy but may deter patients. Although low volume laxatives are better tolerated, their impact on patient-reported outcomes remains unclear. We compared low and intermediate volume bowel preparation and assessed their impact on tolerability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and work.
Methods:
We conducted an open-label, noninferiority randomized trial in four Dutch hospitals. Patients were randomized to 2 L polyethylene glycol with ascorbate (2L PEG+Asc) or 1 L with added sodium sulfate (1L PEG+Asc). Before and after preparation, patients completed validated questionnaires on productivity, tolerability, and HRQoL. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with adequate bowel preparation, aiming to demonstrate noninferiority of 1L PEG+Asc vs. 2L PEG+Asc (5% noninferiority margin). Secondary outcomes included willingness to repeat, with exploratory analysis of associated factors using multivariable logistic regression, change in HRQoL scores, tolerability, and work-related impact.
Results:
We included 467 patients (2L PEG+Asc, n = 229; 1L PEG+Asc, n = 238). 1L PEG+Asc was noninferior to 2L: adequate cleansing rate, 96.1% (95%CI 92.6% to 98.0%) vs. 96.4% (95%CI 93.0% to 98.3%; P = 0.84; Δ −0.4, 95%CI −4.0 to 3.3). More patients in the 1L PEG+Asc group were willing to repeat the preparation (59.9% vs. 48.3%; P = 0.04), with tolerability the most influential factor (odds ratios 0.05 and 0.22 for difficult or fair vs. good tolerability, adjusted for symptoms, satisfaction, and 1L/2L PEG+Asc). No clinically relevant changes in HRQoL were observed. Absenteeism and impaired work productivity occurred in 7.9% and 12.3%, respectively, with no between-group differences.
Conclusions:
Bowel preparation with 1L PEG+Asc is noninferior to 2L PEG+Asc and associated with higher willingness to repeat. Tolerability is fundamental for effective cleansing and reducing colonoscopy barriers.
Related Concept Videos
00:56One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: Estimation of Clearance
In the one-compartment open model for intravenous (IV) bolus administration, clearance is estimated by dividing the elimination rate by the plasma drug concentration. This equation leverages the elimination rate constant and the apparent...
01:09One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: Estimation of Elimination Rate Constant, Half-Life and Volume of Distribution
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and...
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
01:19One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: General Considerations
The drug's presence in the body is defined by an equation representing the difference between the rates of drug entry and exit. Key parameters—elimination rate constant,...
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...