Effectiveness of Prokinetic Agents in Improving Abdominal Discomfort at Colonoscopy

Overview

colonoscopy has been a preferred modality for colorectal screening which efficiently reduce in morbidity and mortality of the disaese. Although colonoscopy is a safe procedure, some patients may be suffered from major and minor complications. Abdominal discomfort (approximately 30%) usually persisted for 2 days after colonoscopy. These unsatisfactory experiences might affect the patients' willingness to return for a repeat colonoscopy, which the loss of adherence eventually reduce the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening and surveillance. Furthermore, during colonoscopy preparation, the patients are required to take large volume Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage (PEG-EL) solution for bowel preparation which possibly lead to unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms likewise. Prokinetic agents are a class of drugs that promoted gastrointestinal motility and, thereby, decrease transit time. This stimulatory effect was considered clinically relevant to the management of disorders characterized by impaired motility, such as gastro-esophageal reflux, gastroparesis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and colonic inertia. Prokinetic agents have various mechanism such as Cholinergic agonists, Dopamine antagonists (i.e.Domperidone, Metoclopramide), Serotonergic agonists (i.e. Cisapride, Prucalopride,Mosapride). Interestingly, these drugs have been used to minimize the unpleasant abdominal symptoms from colonoscopy. The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of a prokinetic agent in alleviating abdominal discomfort during the period of colonoscopy preparation and aftercolonoscopy consecutively.

The participants will be randomly selected into one of the three arms of this report's diagram (1:1:1 ratio) drawing of a sealed, opaque envelope by one of the surgical residents in charge or by the attending surgeon. The participants in each group will receive an envelope containing pills of identical appearance, each of Domperidone 10 mg, Itopride 50 mg or placebo. Both the attending physicians and the participants are blinded to the kind of study medication contained in the envelope. From the regular protocol for colonoscopy preparation, no solid foods are allowed except low residue diet during three days before the procedure. On the next day, only liquid diet consumption is allowed. On the day prior to colonoscopy, the patients can have only clear liquid and ad libitum throughout the day until midnight. Additionally, the patients are instructed to take one pill at 8.00 AM, 12.00 AM, 4.30 PM respectively. They are also informed to begin consuming the 3 liters of PEG-EL at 5.00 PM and complete it within 3 hours. Lastly, they are instructed to take the fourth pill at 6.00 AM on the day of colonoscopy. At the colonoscopy unit, the patients will be interviewed regarding the severity of abdominal discomfort during the preparation period after consuming the 3 liters of PEG-EL using a 4-point scale (1=absent, 2=mild, 3=moderate, 4=severe). After finish the procedure, patients are informed to continue the study medication for three days consecutively. The interviewer will make a phone call to the individuals at the first and third day after the procedure to confirm compliance of the study medication and inquiry about the severity of abdominal discomfort after procedure by using the same 4-point scale. If the patient can't be reached by a phone call or fail to continue the medication, this patient is classified as a drop out. All data is collected by the main investigator from the patient chart and data recording form. Statistical analysis is performed using SPSS version 18. Patient characteristic and numerical data are reported by descriptive statistic such as mean, standard deviation. Parametric data is compared between groups using Chi-square, logistic regression analysis.Statistical significance is set at a level of p\<0.05.