Effects of oral sodium picosulphate Picolax on urea and electrolytes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of sodium picosulphate (Picolax) oral bowel preparation on levels of serum urea, electrolytes and glucose in patients undergoing bowel preparation for barium enema.


METHODS
A prospective, non-randomised, pre-test and post-test trial was conducted with 144 patients aged 34-87 years, who had agreed to undergo a barium enema. Changes in serum urea, sodium, potassium, magnesium and glucose following Picolax treatment were investigated.


RESULTS
There were statistically significant post-Picolax reductions in serum concentrations of urea (mean difference 0.556 (95 per cent confidence intervals (CI) 0.321-0.791) mmol/L), sodium (mean difference 1.299 (0.799-1.799) mmol/L) and potassium (mean difference 0.163 (0.0853-0.241) mmol/L). Similar findings were observed for sodium and urea when the sample was stratified according to age: under 60 years (n=56) or 60 years and over (n=88). However, there was no significant change in potassium in patients aged under 60 years.


CONCLUSIONS
In normal circumstances, use of Picolax oral bowel preparation results in a statistically, but not clinically, significant reduction in concentration of serum urea, sodium and potassium.
Ryan
Fran
F
Wythenshawe, South Manchester Primary Care Trust. fran.ryan@smpct.manchester.nwest.nhs.uk
Anobile
Tina
T
Scutt
Diane
D
Hopwood
Marion
M
Murphy
Gerry
G
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002951:Citrates; D003287:Contrast Media; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood*; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010847:Picolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002400:Cathartics; D002951:Citrates; D003287:Contrast Media; D004573:Electrolytes; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010847:Picolines; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D014508:Urea; D008274:Magnesium; C005701:picosulfate sodium; D011188:Potassium