Comparison of L L Polyethylene Glycol Plus Ascorbic Acid and Oral Sodium Sulfate Tablets for Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation

Abstract

Background and Aims: A low-volume (1 L) polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid (PEG-A) solution and an oral sodium sulfate tablet (OST) formulation are recently introduced agents for colonoscopy bowel preparation. This study investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 1 L PEG-A vs. OST. Methods: This single-center, prospective, randomized, endoscopist-blinded study randomly assigned patients into 2 groups: 1 L PEG-A (group A); and OST (group B). Efficacy of bowel preparation was evaluated using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Tolerability and safety were investigated with a standardized questionnaire. Results: A total of 174 patients were included in the final analysis (group A, n = 92; group B, n = 82). Successful bowel preparation was achieved in 91.3% and 95.1% of patients in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.324). Overall mean satisfaction with bowel preparation was greater among those in group B vs. those in group A (8.2 ± 1.7 vs. 6.8 ± 2.0, respectively; p < 0.001). Although abdominal distension was less common in group A than group B (3/92 [3.3%] vs. 9/82 [11.0%], respectively; p = 0.045), overall adverse events developed similarly in both groups (27/92 [29.3%] vs. 21/82 [25.6%], p = 0.583). In subgroup analysis of older patients (≥65 years of age), efficacy, overall satisfaction, and safety profiles were not different between groups A and B. Conclusions: Both 1 L PEG-A and OST demonstrated efficacy, tolerability, and safety for colonoscopy bowel preparation. OST was slightly better tolerated, whereas 1 L PEG-A resulted in less abdominal distension. Both agents were effective and safe in older patients.