Objective:

To establish the differences between three types of colonoscopy preparation products in terms of effectiveness and tolerability.

Materials and methods:

An analytical, prospective, blind, cross-sectional study of the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale was carried out. Adult patients over 18 years of age with a requirement for colonoscopy and completion of the survey on the type of preparation carried out for colon cleansing were included.

Results:

Three groups of products (polyethylene glycol, picosulfates, and sulfate salts) were evaluated in 907 patients. Total and segment Boston Bowel Preparation Scale was applied, without finding statistically significant differences between them (OR 1.10; 95%CI: 0.6-1.8; p = 0.728). 60% of the population were women and the average age was 52 years. Compliance with the diet was observed in 99% of the participants. Split-dose bowel preparation performed best on the Boston scale (OR 5.06; 95%CI; 3.2-8.01; p= 0.001). Picosulfates had greater acceptability (OR 15.8; 95%CI: 8.83-28.3; p= 0.001) and fewer side effects such as abdominal distension (OR 0.59; 95%CI: 0.3-0.9; p= 0.033) and vomiting (OR 0.25; 95%CI: 0.07-0.82; p= 0.015). The best result was observed when the test was performed within 6 hours of completion of preparation (OR 6.38; 95%CI: 3.84-10.6; p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

The products evaluated did not show differences between them regarding their effectiveness. Picosulfates had fewer side effects and better acceptability. Split-dose and testing up to 6 hours after preparation resulted in better bowel preparation.

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