title: Orange juice intake reduces patient discomfort and is effective for bowel cleansing with polyethylene glycol during bowel preparation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients report discomfort because of the unpleasant taste of bowel preparation solutions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine whether adding orange juice to 2 L of polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid is effective for reducing patient discomfort and improving palatability during bowel preparation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at a tertiary referral hospital and a generalized hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive outpatients and inpatients were randomly allocated to drink 2 L of polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid or 2 L of polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid with orange juice in a single dose or a split dose.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tolerability, palatability score, willingness, and related adverse events were investigated by questionnaires. Bowel cleansing was rated using the Aronchick scale. Each score was graded on a 5-point scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 107 patients, 53 in the orange juice group and 54 in the polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid group who underwent elective colonoscopy were enrolled. The palatability score (mean ± SD) was higher in the orange juice group than in the control group (2.36 ± 0.76 vs 1.78 ± 0.88; p = 0.005). Nausea was less frequent in the orange juice group (26.4% vs 59.3%; p = 0.001). Total amount of bowel preparation ingested was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.44). The bowel preparation score (mean ± SD) was not significantly different (1.49 ± 0.80 vs 1.43 ± 0.77; p = 0.94). Willingness to repeat the same process was higher in the orange juice group (90.4% vs 66.7%; p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is limited because only ambulatory patients were enrolled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orange juice intake before drinking 2 L of polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid for colonoscopy can reduce patient discomfort, resulting in improved acceptability and patient compliance. This method is as effective for bowel cleansing as polyethylene glycol.
authors.affiliation: 1Digestive Disease Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea 2Department of Internal Medicine, Sahm Yook Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hong Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chan Sup
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Gyu Won
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sun-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: In-Kyung
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Hyung Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jeong Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002957:Citrus / Q000009:adverse effects; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D057240:Patient Preference; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D014815:Vitamins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D001205:Ascorbic Acid