title: Polyethylene glycol vs sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate for colonoscopy preparation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polyethylene glycol-based electrolyte solutions (PEG-ELS) and the combination of sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate (SPMC) are commonly used bowel preparation agents. The aim of the present study was to compare the two agents with regard to cleansing efficacy and tolerance among individuals scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 368 colonoscopy outpatients at three Norwegian hospitals were randomized to bowel lavage with either PEG-ELS or SPMC. Compliance and patient tolerance were evaluated using a patient questionnaire. Bowel cleansing was evaluated using the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Quality Scale (OBPS), a validated scoring system with scores between 0 (best) and 14.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the cleansing quality between the PEG-ELS and SPMC groups (median OBPS 5.0 in both groups). The group that received SPMC reported better overall patient tolerance than the PEG-ELS group (72.6 % vs 59.0 % reporting no or slight discomfort, P < 0.01). Compliance with the recommended total fluid intake (4 L) was better in the SPMC group than in the PEG-ELS group (94.2 % vs 81.2 % respectively, P < 0.01); moreover, the polyp detection rate was superior (34.3 % vs 23.3 %, P = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEG-ELS and SPMC are equally effective in cleansing efficacy, but SPMC was better tolerated by patients and resulted in superior patient compliance and polyp detection rate.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01624454.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leitao
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Tore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grimstad
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bretthauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Sorlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway ; Insitute for Health and Society, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Øyvind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Holme
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Vemund
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Karlsen
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Kjetil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Isaksen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Milada
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cvancarova
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aabakken