A randomized controlled trial of sodium phosphate tablets and polyethylene glycol solution for polyp detection

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to assess the efficacy of sodium phosphate (NaP) tablets and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on colon cleansing. METHODS: A prospective, randomized trial was conducted at the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo. Participants who were scheduled for colonoscopy were included and randomized into either the NaP or PEG group. An interim analysis was programmed into the study design when approximately 50% of the enrolments were completed. The primary outcome was the detection rate of polyps with a diameter =5 mm. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 44 were in the NaP group and 48 in the PEG group. The quality of colonic preparation was similar in both groups. The NaP group showed a higher detection rate of polyps with a diameter =5 mm than the PEG group (38.6% vs 18.8%, P = 0.004). A multivariate analysis showed that NaP and the withdrawal time of the colonoscope were independent factors associated with the detection of polyps with a diameter =5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: NaP is certainly not inferior to PEG. In fact, the results suggest that diminutive polyp detection using NaP might be superior to that using PEG.