title: Polyethylene glycol vs. sodium phosphate for bowel preparation: a treatment arm meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Results of meta-analyses of randomized trials comparing PEG and NaP are inconsistent and have not included trials comparing either or both preps to less traditional ones.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To perform a meta-analysis by treatment arm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using MEDLINE and EMBASE, we identified English-language trials published from 1990 to 2008 that included PEG and/or NaP, and aggregated them by treatment arm into: 4 liter (L) PEG; 2 L PEG; split-dose PEG; two 45 ml doses of NaP +/- adjunctive medication; and NaP tablets. We compared prep quality and the proportion completing the prep.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 71 trials (patient N = 10,201), excellent prep quality was present in 34% (CI, 26-41%) for 4 L PEG alone; 39% (CI, 26-51%) for 2 L PEG; 37% (CI, 28-46%) for split-dose PEG; 42% (CI, 33-51%) for NaP solution; 44% (CI, 38-51%) for NaP with adjunctive meds; and 58% (CI, 49-67%) for NaP tablets. Patients receiving NaP were more likely to complete the prep (97% [CI, 96-98%] vs. 90% [CI, 87-92%] for 4L PEG alone); however, completion rates for 2L PEG (98%) and split dose PEG (95%) were similar to NaP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NaP tablets resulted in better prep quality and higher completion rates compared to other regimens. In comparisons limited by sample size, split dose PEG was not statistically different from NaP solution for completion rate or prep quality.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University Health Physicians, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. rjuluri@iuhealth.org
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Juluri
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Imperiale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010710:Phosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D010710:Phosphates; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C018279:sodium phosphate