Addition of senna improves quality of colonoscopy preparation with magnesium citrate.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively investigate the effectiveness and patient's tolerance of two low-cost bowel cleansing preparation protocols based on magnesium citrate only or the combination of magnesium citrate and senna.


METHODS
A total of 342 patients who were referred for colonoscopy underwent a colon cleansing protocol with magnesium citrate alone (n = 160) or magnesium citrate and senna granules (n = 182). The colonoscopist rated the overall efficacy of colon cleansing using an established score on a 4-point scale. Patients were questioned before undergoing colonoscopy for side effects and symptoms during bowel preparation.


RESULTS
The percentage of procedures rescheduled because of insufficient colon cleansing was 7% in the magnesium citrate group and 4% in the magnesium citrate/senna group (P = 0.44). Adequate visualization of the colonic mucosa was rated superior under the citramag/senna regimen (P = 0.004). Both regimens were well tolerated, and did not significantly differ in the occurrence of nausea, bloating or headache. However, abdominal cramps were observed more often under the senna protocol (29.2%) compared to the magnesium citrate only protocol (9.9%, P < 0.0003).


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of senna to the bowel preparation protocol with magnesium citrate significantly improves the cleansing outcome.
Gastroenterology Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Stergios
S
Vradelis
Evangelos
E
Kalaitzakis
Yalda
Y
Sharifi
Otto
O
Buchel
Satish
S
Keshav
Roger W
RW
Chapman
Barbara
B
Braden
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012676:Senna Extract / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D002400:Cathartics; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D019343:Citric Acid; D012676:Senna Extract; C110422:magnesium citrate