title: 2 L PEG plus ascorbic acid versus 4 L PEG plus simethicon for colonoscopy preparation: a randomized single-blind clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 2 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) lavage solution has been proved to be similarly safe and effective as 4 L PEG formulations, in spite of the reduced volume.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare low-volume PEG-based solution combined with ascorbic acid with high-volume PEG-based solution combined with simethicon in terms of efficacy and patient tolerability.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-blind prospective randomized trial. Patients were randomized to receive either 2 L PEG plus ascorbic acid (PEG+Asc) or 4 L PEG plus simethicon (PEG+Sim). The primary endpoint was overall colon cleansing evaluation, assessed by blinded investigators using Aronchick score. Secondary end points included patient compliance and tolerability and adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty patients received PEG+Asc and 60 received PEG+Sim. Overall bowel cleansing score was considered adequate in 81.67% of the PEG+Asc and 80% of the PEG+Sim groups, respectively. Excellent and good ratings were recorded in 11.6% and 38.3% receiving PEG+Asc as compared with 26.6% and 23.3% of patients receiving PEG+Sim. Patient tolerability and safety were similar with both the preparations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our data, low-volume PEG+Asc has comparable efficacy, safety, and tolerability as high-volume PEG+Sim; therefore, it can be considered as a good alternative solution for bowel preparation. More improvements are necessary to achieve the target of a perfect preparation.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Oncological, and Videoassisted Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. magentil@unina.it
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cestaro
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forestieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012841:Simethicone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004643:Emollients; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012841:Simethicone; D001205:Ascorbic Acid