Comparison of Bowel Cleansing Methods for Colonoscopy in Hospitalized Patients

Efficacy of Bisacodyl Given as Part of a Polyethylene Glycol-based Bowel Preparation Prior to Colonoscopy in Hospitalized Patients

The purpose of this study is to compare two regimens of polyethylene glycol(PEG) plus bisacodyl versus PEG alone for bowel preparation in hospitalized patients.

Inadequate bowel preparation may lead to a longer colonoscopy, and to an inability to identify lesions. PEG can provide a rapid orthograde peroral approach to colonic lavage without producing significant fluid or electrolyte changes. Thus PEG is now commonly used for bowel preparation. However, large amounts and unsatisfactory taste of PEG solution are generally poorly tolerated, especially in hospitalized patients who had comorbidity and restricted ambulation. Recently, a new PEG-based bowel cleansing agents became available. It combines PEG with a high dose of ascorbic acid or bisacodyl. Although many studies reported the efficacy of these combined solution for colonoscopy, but efficacy in hospitalized patients was under-recognized.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hospitalized patients for colonoscopy

Exclusion Criteria:

• age under 20 years or over 80 years
• major psychiatric illness
• known allergy to PEG
• serious condition- severe cardiac, renal, or metabolic diseases
• partial colon resection
• current acute exacerbation of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
• functional constipation defined by Rome III diagnostic criteria