Introduction: Colonoscopy is an important tool for colon cancer screening. Proper colon cleansing is essential to ensure adequate mucosal examination. Timing of bowel preparation administration is now recognized as an important component for achieving superior cleansing. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have found split-dosing to be superior than day-before dosing. Objective: This study aims to compare two types of bowel preparations in split-doses to assess for differences in patient tolerability, as well as efficacy of colon cleansing. Methods: This is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized-controlled trial. Patients who are being referred for a colonoscopy will be recruited to participate in the study. They will be randomly assigned to receive either a split-dose polyethylene glycol (PEG) or picosalax (P/MC) bowel preparation. Patient tolerability will be examined through questionnaires. The endoscopist performing the colonoscopy will use two standardized bowel preparation scoring systems to evaluate the quality of the cleansing. The investigators propose that P/MC will be superior to PEG in patient tolerability and non-inferior in bowel cleansing effects.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
5
Hotel Dieu Hospital
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Patient tolerability
Patients will be asked to complete a questionnaire to assess ease of completion and symptoms. Questionnaire items are weighted on a 5-point Likert scale. Interference with sleep will be assessed through a questionnaire that is based on a modified validated sleep questionnaire (St. Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire). Participants will be asked to complete this questionnaire at the initial appointment and again on the day of their procedure
Time frame: Two days
Quality of bowel preparation
The colonoscopist will be blinded to the type of preparation the subject underwent. The colonoscopist will complete a validated questionnaire to assess the quality of the preparation (The Ottawa Scale) and the 4-point Aronchick bowel cleansing scale. The patient's baseline bowel habit will be recorded, as well as the withdrawal time, volume of liquid suctioned and volume of washing fluid used during the colonoscopy.
Time frame: During colonoscopy
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