Abstract
Background
Recently, a novel oral sulfate tablet (OST) has been introduced for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. However, whether elderly patients can take OST is not yet clear, as OST consists of 28 tablets. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of OST and polyethylene glycol (PEG) for bowel preparation for colonoscopy according to age.
Method:
We randomly divided subjects into a OST group and a PEG group and compared Boston bowel preparation score (BBPS), bubble score, patient compliance and satisfaction, and safety between the two groups according to age (under 65 years of age vs. 65 years of age and older).
Results
Among the 179 participants, sixty-one were 65 years of age and older. The BBPS and bubble score of the OST group were better than that of the PEG group, regardless of age. The satisfaction of the OST group was better than that the PEG group, regardless of age. The compliance was not different between the two groups, however, the OST group under 65 years of age had a higher rate of completing the dose within 2 h compared with the PEG group under 65 years of age. Adverse events including abdominal distension, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting were not different between the two groups.
Conclusion
The use of OST for bowel preparation before colonoscopy is as effective and safe as PEG, and these results were consistent in elderly people 65 years of age and older.
Effects of polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder combined with different agents in bowel preparation for colonoscopy in elderly patients with constipation
