Background: Adequate bowel preparation is essential for
accurate colonoscopy. Both oral sodium phosphate (NaP) and
polyethylene glycol-based lavage (PEG-ELS) are used predominantly
as bowel cleansing modalities. NaP has gained popularity due to
low drinking volume and lower costs. The purpose of this
randomized multicenter observer blinded study was to compare
three groups of cleansing (NaP, NaP + sennosides, PEG-ELS +
sennosides) in reference to tolerability, acceptance, and
cleanliness. Patient and Methods: 355 outpatients between 18 and
75 years were randomized into three groups (A, B, C) receiving NaP =
A, NaP, and sennosides = B or PEG-ELS and sennosides = C.
Gastroenterologists performing colonoscopies were blinded to the
type of preparation. All patients documented tolerance and adverse
events. Vital signs, premedication, completeness, discomfort, and
complications were recorded. A quality score (0–4) of cleanliness
was generated. Results: The three groups were similar
with regard to age, sex, BMI, indication for colonoscopy, and
comorbidity. Drinking volumes (L) (A = 4.33 + 1.2, B = 4.56 + 1.18, C = 4.93 + 1.71) were in favor of NaP
(P = .005). Discomfort from
ingested fluid was recorded in A = 39.8% (versus C: P = .015),
B = 46.6% (versus C: P = .147), and C = 54.6%. Differences in tolerability and acceptance between the three groups were
statistically not significant. No differences in adverse events
and the cleanliness effects occurred in the three groups (P = .113).
The cleanliness quality scores 0–2 were calculated in A:
77.7%, B: 86.7%, and C: 85.2%. Conclusions:
These data fail to demonstrate significant differences in
tolerability, acceptance, and preparation quality between the
three types of bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Cleansing with
NaP was not superior to PEG-ELS